The main causes of intestinal gas
Flatulence comes from swallowed air and fermentation in the intestine. Swallowing air by eating too quickly or talking during meals increases the amount of gas. Soft drinks amplify this phenomenon.
Nutrition plays a central role. Some foods ferment more easily, producing more gas. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are among the best known. Legumes, which are high in fiber, can also cause flatulence when consumed in large quantities. Similarly, certain poorly absorbed sugars, found in milk or certain fruits, ferment in the colon and generate gas.
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The gut microbiota also contributes to gas production. Each person has a unique composition of bacteria. Some ferment fiber more intensely, producing more methane, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide. An imbalance in the microbiota can thus exacerbate the phenomenon.
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