*Poor eating habits like not chewing food properly,eating or drinking rapidly ,eating at odd hours(like late night dinner),or too much in one meal.
*Eating some kind of foods like beans ,cabbage, broccoli,cauliflower and whole grains
*Unbalanced diet ,like high protein or high fat can slow digestion causing gas.
*Stale foods or processed foods
*Intolerance to lactose(present in milk)
As we age the body's digestion becomes less efficient and the foods which once caused no annoying discomfort can become the most avoided.Especially true with milk,beans and some vegetables.To treat excess flatulence one could change the poor eating habits,eating slowly and smaller meals,look for alternatives in case of lactose intolerance,but should you give up heart healthy fiber-rich foods too? Not necessarily.Try simple changes in diet and some home remedies before giving up on the gas causing food :
1.Cook Right
When using beans,remember to soak them thoroughly overnight and discarding all the water before cooking them to remove some of the gas causing raffinose sugars.Eat them fresh(consume the day you prepare them).Cook with fresh ginger and spices like cinnamon,caraway seeds(shah zeera) and carom seeds(Ajwain) than can aid in digestion.Similarly spice up the vegetables that cause more gas than others.
2.Hydrate
Drink good amount of water during the day.About 8-10 glasses.Water helps dissolve fiber.
3Be regular
Constipation can add to the problem.Be regular to keep the digestive tract fully functional.Probiotic yogurt can be very helpful.
4.Exercise
Regular yoga exercises can relax the bowl muscles and improve digestion.Learn a few here.
5.Herbal teas
Mint is my favorite herb that's well known to not just freshen the breath but also reduce flatulence.I use fresh mint for the tea.
To make Fresh Mint Tea : Blend 2 cups of fresh mint leaves with 1/2 cup of warm water until smooth.This is concentrated mint liquid.Mix 2 tablespoon of concentrated mint liquid with a cup of water and drink after a meal.Store the concentrated mint liquid in fridge for up to a week.Dilute and drink when ever needed.
Ginger
Ginger is a great aid in digestion can also relief flatulence.Find the ginger tea recipe here.
Other spices and herbs
Whole Cinnamon,Fennel seeds,Fenugreek(Methi) seeds or leaves and carom seeds can also be brewed for 5-10 minutes and consumed warm 2-3 times a day for an some relief.
If the problem of excess flatulence persists despite the changes then Medical advice is necessary.
I'm submitting the post as part of Home remedies at A2ZVegetarian Cuisine.The above herbal teas are good for people all age groups,also for kids(above age 4).
What's your best tried and worked remedy for flatulence ?
