Quick Fixes
Feeling like a balloon? Try these immediately:
- Walk: Gentle movement helps gas bubbles pass.
- Peppermint Tea: A natural antispasmodic that relaxes the gut.
- Skip the Soda: Carbonation adds even more gas.
Top 3 Biological Causes
1. Food Intolerances
Lactose (dairy), gluten (wheat), or fructose can cause massive gas if your body can't digest them properly. Try an elimination diet to find the culprit.
2. Constipation
If you're backed up, stool ferments in the colon, releasing gas that gets trapped. Fiber + Water is the cure.
3. Eating Too Fast
Gulping food means gulping air (aerophagia). That air has to go somewhere. Slow down and chew.
The "FOODMAP" Foods
Certain healthy foods contain carbs that ferment easily in the gut (FODMAPs). If you have IBS, avoid these during flare-ups:
Onions
Garlic
Beans/Lentils
Wheat
Apples
Dairy
Broccoli
Artificial Sweeteners
Medical Review
Reviewed by: Ricardo Hamilton, MD
Last Updated: December 15, 2025
Sources: NHS, Cleveland Clinic, Monash University