It's normal to pass flatus at least 10 times a day. We swallow air when we eat and when anxious or stressed we tend to swallow more. In addition, bacterial metabolism of food in our intestines produces hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide gases.
All this gas can gather in the stomach or further down the intestines, and is expelled either through the mouth (burping or belching) or the anus (flatus) or absorbed through the intestinal walls.
Of course, certain foods and beverages are renowned for their effect on flatulence: beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, eggplant, onion, carrots, lentils and nuts have reputations for causing gas, and consuming large amounts of protein, fruits, vegetables or high-fibre foods may cause flatulence.
Carbonated drinks and beer also tend to cause gas, as does chewing gum and eating quickly. People with lactose intolerance may find that eating dairy products will make them gassy and in any situation where there is malabsorption (difficulty digesting a particular nutrient properly) excessive gas and often diarrhoea may result.
Excessive gas may also be caused by gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease or Crohn's disease.
Fortunately, the majority of gas we let off is odourless. The smelly ones are caused by methane and hydrogen sulfide produced by the bacteria in the large intestine as they ferment and digest your food.
To reduce flatulence, as an initial measure you could try avoiding excessive intake of those foods and beverages that are known to cause gas.
Try to relax, eat slowly and chew your food well. Smoking, poorly fitting false teeth, chewing gum, anxiety and talking while eating can all cause you to swallow excess air, so addressing these factors may help.
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