Say Goodbye to Uncomfortable Gas Problem with these Easy Home Remedies for Gas Relief 2020

Formation of gas in the stomach is a part of the normal process of digestion and body gets rid of the excess gas by way of burping or passing gas (flatus). But due to irregularities in eating time, eating contrast foods together, eating too much spicy or junk food or certain bad habits, the gas in the intestine aggravates and is not able to leave the body. This stuck gas inside the stomach creates problems like stomach ache, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea or vomiting.

Other symptoms include difficulty in breathing, feeling heaviness in the belly, bloated stomach, constipation, loss of concentration. More symptoms are heavy burping, knotted feeling in the stomach, and feeling of fullness in abdomen, abdominal distention (increase in size of the abdomen), constipation, irregular bowel movements, weight loss and blood in stool. Moreover, a healthy person burps during or after a meal and can pass gas few times in a day; however, total absence of burping or flatus can be a sign of stomach problem.

Stomach Gas problem can be caused due to many reasons which are related to eating, lifestyle and habits. Few high fiber foods which causes gastric problem are beans and peas, lentils, fruits, whole grains and vegetables. Moreover, oily and spicy foods can also cause gas formation and so can aerate or carbonated drinks. Irregular eating habits like eating too quickly or gulping the food, using straw to drink, gulping water straight through the throat, chewing gum and talking while chewing the food are few sure shot ways to swallow more air along with food, hence increasing the chances of gas formation in the intestine.

Certain sugar free sweeteners have content like mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol etc which acts as an agent to aggravate gas in stomach. Few people are lactose intolerant and after consumption of milk or milk related products they complain of gas and bloating. Similarly, someone can be allergic to a particular food item and can face gastric problem upon consumption of that particular product. Moreover, irregular eating times, having no fixed time to eat, skipping breakfast, eating full stomach, eating too less / not eating properly, frequently eating outside food, eating unhygienic and roadside food etc. are few major lifestyle factors for gastric problem. To add fuel to the fire, too much consumption of tea or coffee, smoking, drinking and sitting or lying down just after eating further increases the stomach gas problem.

Too much of gas and bloating is not only embarrassing, but it also reduces your ability to perform to optimum level. There are certain dos and don'ts which you should adhere to and save yourself from stomach gas problem. Firstly, identify foods to which your body is sensitive or allergic to. If required, get a test done to find out any such consumables and once you known about them; avoid such foods. Moreover, foods which contain sugars like fructose and lactose etc. are also known to cause gastric trouble. These include peas, sweet potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onions, broccoli and artichokes etc. Though these foods are otherwise healthy foods, but avoid them if you are suffering from gastric problem. Similarly, beans like kidney beans, black beans, baked beans, black-eyed peas and white beans etc. are also gassy items. Few gassy fruits are peaches, oranges, pears, plums, watermelon, mango, apricots and apples and dry fruits include prunes, raisins and apricots.

Also, as we age the lactose digesting enzyme lactase is produced less by our bodies. Lactose is the sugar found in dairy products, thus milk and related products like buttermilk (empty stomach), heavy cream, cream cheese and ice cream etc should be avoided even if you aren’t lactose intolerant. Gas producing whole grains are rye, flaxseed, barley and wheat and beverages include fruit juices, beer and soda (both regular and diet). Most people have a notion that carbonated beverages release gas and though it may seem to give some instant relief, but after sometime they increase the gastric problem. So whenever you are facing gastric problem, it’s better to avoid these foods or take small portions if necessary. Drinking a glass of water half an hour before food (as it dilutes the excess acid present in the stomach) and at least an hour after the food (to let the digestive juices work properly) also helps prevent gastric problems.

As per Ayurveda there are certain foods which are opposite in nature and shouldn’t be consumed together or one over the other. Few foods which shouldn’t be taken together are milk + fish, heated honey, honey + cow’s ghee mixed in equal amount, hot water after taking honey (though you can mix honey in hot water before consuming), curd at night and milk with banana. Similarly, having cold water immediately after hot beverages like tea or coffee is a sure recipe for gas formation in stomach.

Few more incompatible foods which we normally use in our daily routine are – black or green tea with milk, tea and garlic, milk and curd, grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice, potatoes and alcohol, fried potatoes and food cooked in reheated oil. Also eating beans with fruit, cheese, milk, curd and meat; eggs with fruits (specially melons), fish, cheese, kitchari and curd; fruits shouldn’t be taken with any other food and best to eat half an hour before the meals; hot drinks with cheese, fish, mangoes, curd and meat; lemon with milk, curd, cucumber and tomatoes; milk with bananas, sour fruits, melons, bread containing yeast, meat and curd; potato and tomato with dairy products, melon and cucumber; radishes with raisins, milk and banana and curd with cheese, eggs, meat and fruits are also non-permitted food combinations as per Ayurveda.

Though there are over the counter medicines available for gastric problems, but they may have side effects and are mostly made from chemicals. To have quick relief during gastric problem, home remedies for gas are easy, natural and proven way to get rid of the excess gas stuck in your abdomen. Moreover, the home remedies don’t have any after effects or ill effects on your body.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural laxative and not only it improves digestion, but is also useful to lower blood sugar levels plus helps to reduce belly fat and lose weight. Regular usage of apple cider vinegar lowers cholesterol; blood pressure thus improves heart health.

Lastly, few more home remedies which are useful in stomach gas problem are - Fennel Tea, Cold Milk, Cardamom and fennel seeds powder, Jeera Water, Mint Leaves, Coconut water, Watermelon Juice, Basil leaves and Lukewarm water