Fermentation in the intestines: causes, symptoms, treatment and preventive measures

The doctor will answer the question of why intestinal fermentation occurs. The digestive system includes several organs. Its main task is to provide the body with nutrients and energy. If a failure occurs in any area, the operation of the entire system is disrupted.

Fermentation in the intestines is not only a symptom that causes discomfort, it is a sign that the patient has more serious health problems. The accumulation of gases is just the tip of the iceberg. And problems begin not from the intestines, but from the stomach. Once in the stomach, food is not completely digested for many reasons and begins to move on in this form. Once in the intestines, undigested residues are not excreted from the body, but remain in the last depot on their way - in the intestines. There, under the influence of microorganisms, they begin to rot, releasing substances that should not normally exist. Rotting is accompanied by the formation of gases.

Fermented foods relieve intestinal problems and in some cases manage both diarrhea and constipation. It has been observed that bacteria contained in fermented foods, through the kinetics of the intestinal environment, inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms that are associated with high consumption of animal proteins.

By preventing these yeasts and other pathogenic bacteria from entering the colon and creating endotoxins, enzymes help maintain the integrity of the immune system. In fact, lactic acid bacteria create healthy activity in the colon, which helps us stay healthy.

The amount of gases and toxins is constantly growing. They poison the body very slowly. In general, a situation arises where there is no immediate threat to life and health, but the disorder in the functioning of a well-functioning organism is clearly visible. Different people will have different reactions to the same products. This is caused by different properties of gastric juice. Some have more acidity, some have less. The ratio of enzymes is also different.

Proper bowel function is one of the important keys to health

A brush that works well means good intestinal transit and good flora.
The intestinal microbial flora is large and diverse, and lactic acid bacteria play an important role. Some information on the page. Flat stomach, how to get it? Eliminating foods that "ferment" to flatten the stomach is an indication of a study that has scientifically validated a diet developed by an Australian university. One month of this diet and days with a 40% reduction. The research was presented at the Milan exhibition and in Washington during Digestive Disease Week. The same can be said about intestinal flora. Some people consume harmful foods that cause fermentation in the intestines in large quantities and feel great, but for others it is enough to deviate a little from the diet, and problems with the intestines are guaranteed. The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is influenced by many factors, including hereditary ones. If one of the parents had intestinal problems, then the likelihood that the children will have the same problems is incredibly high.

A percentage that rose to 66% after 16 months. Participants also experienced less abdominal pain, with a 40% drop after just one month and half after 16 months. Participants in the Italian study were over a hundred years old and then averaged over two years. These people suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, but the diet is recommended for those with swollen belly problems, its author emphasizes.

What happens to the gut with these highly fermentable foods?

But what are the accused products? Those that contain oligosaccharides and therefore legumes, artichokes, broccoli, garlic, persimmons, watermelon, grains such as wheat and rye; monosaccharides such as fructose, found in apples, pears, peaches and mangoes; disaccharides such as lactose, i.e. soft and fresh milk and cheese. Finally, polyols found in cherries, plums, cauliflower, mushrooms and some sweeteners such as mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. The fermentation of these types of food by bacterial microflora can cause irritable gut to cause an irritating feeling of flatulence and abdominal distension, so you should loosen the waistband of your trousers at the end of the day.

The functioning of the entire digestive and intestinal system is also influenced by the age and psychological state of the patient. Such conclusions were made based on many years of observations.

Products that increase gas formation

If signs of flatulence frequently occur, you should seriously reconsider your diet. First of all, it is necessary to exclude from consumption foods that clearly contribute to gas formation.

These include:

any legumes (beans, peas, beans, lentils);
raw vegetables and fruits containing coarse plant fiber and many extractive substances (white cabbage, apples, garlic, onions, sorrel, gooseberries, spinach, radishes, turnips, radishes);
carbonated drinks (kvass, lemonade, sparkling mineral water);
yeast baked goods;
black bread;
beer and other alcoholic drinks.

Cabbage, radishes, legumes, and sweet pastries almost always cause bloating.
You should significantly limit the intake of hard-to-digest foods: goose, lamb, pork and other meats with a high fat content, fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs (especially yolks). It is known that a large amount of intestinal gases is formed during the breakdown of carbohydrate foods. Therefore, it is better not to get carried away with sweets, confectionery, and chocolate. Gastroenterologists believe that increased gas formation may be associated with the simultaneous consumption of incompatible nutrients, for example, proteins and carbohydrates.

Tip: Adults often produce insufficient amounts of the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar. Therefore, if you do not tolerate whole milk well, replace it with fermented milk products.

Among the products that increase gas formation, exotic cuisine, including Japanese, should be noted. The digestive system of people born in a certain climatic zone is not genetically adapted to digest certain foods. Therefore, food masses stagnate in the intestines and undergo microbial breakdown (rotting and fermentation) with the release of large amounts of gases. The same can be said about fruits that are imported from abroad. Of course, eating plant foods is necessary for health, but it is better to choose ordinary apples and pears than “overseas” avocados, peaches, pineapples, and so on.

There are also foods that in themselves do not cause flatulence, but cause constipation. And due to stagnation of feces, the formation of gases increases. These are potatoes, fish and rice. It is better to consume them in the first half of the day, and for dinner eat a light vegetable dish or fruit. Interesting information about nutritional (food) and other causes of flatulence is contained in the video at the end of the article.

Manifestations of fermentation in the intestines

The disease can manifest itself with various symptoms based on the process of rotting undigested food. Among these constant manifestations, the following should be highlighted:

bloating due to increased gas content in the intestines;
rumbling in the peritoneal area;
stool disorder, which can manifest itself both in the form of constipation and in the form of mushy stool;
uncomfortable or even painful sensations, manifested in the form of colic.

Against the background of pathological changes in anatomical structures or in the presence of neoplasms, the symptomatic complex can acquire a number of more complex manifestations and signs indicating significant disturbances in the functioning of the body.

How to eat during flatulence?

To get rid of attacks of bloating, you need to consume more foods that reduce gas formation in the intestines or at least do not cause it. For example, it is worth including in the menu:

crumbly porridge from millet and buckwheat;
baked fruits (apples, pears) and vegetables (carrots, beets);
lean meat, fish boiled, baked, stewed or in steamed cutlets;
fermented milk drinks - kefir, fermented baked milk, bifidok, acidophilus, provided they are well tolerated;
bread, preferably unleavened, made from wheat flour.

Some spices help prevent flatulence. When consuming foods that cause excessive gas formation in the intestines, you can add fennel, cumin, and marjoram to your dishes. These spices improve the digestion of even heavy foods. Dill (in the form of seeds, fresh, dried or frozen herbs) has the same effect.

Tip: To reduce bloating, making tea with ginger or mint is helpful, and it's also very tasty.

Dill reduces intestinal gas formation.
Fermented milk products are not only easily digestible, but also contribute to the normalization of intestinal microflora. It is necessary to do fasting days 1-2 times a week to remove stagnant masses from the intestines. For example, you can have a “rice” day, during which you eat boiled rice without salt, oil and sugar. Or drink non-acidic kefir (1.5-2 liters) all day.

If you really want to, you can occasionally indulge in dishes made from peas or beans. But before cooking, the cereal must be washed well, soaked in cold water, and then cooked for a long time over low heat. Before serving, sprinkle with dill or cumin. With this cooking method, the gas-forming properties of legumes are significantly reduced.

Nutrition rules

Simple and well-known eating rules will help you get rid of bloating and improve your well-being. The digestive tract should not be overloaded, otherwise insufficient digestion will promote fermentation. Therefore, a diet for increased gas formation in the intestines involves eating small portions. If possible, you should eat 5-6 times a day. After eating you can’t lie down, it’s better to walk around a little. Dinner should be light and no later than 1.5 hours before bedtime.

While eating, you should not be distracted by reading, computer or watching TV; your attention should be focused on food. Thanks to this, the body will be tuned to absorb nutrients. You should also not talk at the table, as this may cause you to swallow extra air. Food must be chewed well, so it will be better prepared for the action of digestive juices. And finally, you need to eat regularly at the same time.

Every person periodically experiences bloating. Most often, this phenomenon is associated with diet.

Due to the fact that the situation is extremely delicate, a large number of patients do not talk about it even with specialists, although they feel severe discomfort.

It is worth considering that improper nutrition very often leads to increased gas formation. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in more detail which foods cause flatulence in the intestines.

Causes of gas formation

People who have experienced bloating at least once know that flatulence causes a lot of trouble. Doctors identify several main reasons that cause increased gas formation:

Quick snacks during which a person chews food poorly.
Eating heavy food at night: mushrooms, meat products or eggs.
Allergic reaction to any food.
Eating expired foods.
Smoking while eating or after eating.
Frequent stressful situations.
Conversation while eating.
Fatty, fried or spicy foods that lead to irritation of the abdominal walls.
Drinking liquid through a straw, which provokes the swallowing of excess air and discomfort in the abdominal area.
Consuming large amounts of salt, which retains moisture and causes putrefactive processes and gas formation in the intestines in adults.

In order to avoid bloating, you should eat right and follow a gentle diet. You need to carefully study the foods that cause flatulence.

List of foods that cause bloating

It is worth clarifying that gas formation is caused by all products without exception. But only some do this unnoticed by the body, and when consuming others, a person experiences severe discomfort in the intestines.

Legumes. Due to the fact that the stomach is not able to completely digest beans, its work is “completed” by bacteria. It is this process that leads to flatulence. But not all products in this group are so difficult for the body. Lentils are more gentle and therefore do not have a negative effect on the stomach.
Cabbage. These include cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli - foods that cause bloating. We are talking about both their prepared and raw form. The only caveat: boiled and slightly stewed cabbage is quickly absorbed in the body.
Dairy products: kefir, cheese, fermented baked milk, milk. It is noteworthy that pure yogurt and curdled milk are not so difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract, so they can be consumed by people with increased gas formation. All organisms are individual, and in order to choose a suitable dairy product, milk products should be consumed in their pure form.
Vegetables and fruits that contain carbohydrates and fiber. To reduce the intensity of gas formation, it is recommended to stew, blanch or boil vegetables. The following vegetables should be excluded from the diet: asparagus, corn, onions, potatoes. Prohibited fruits include peaches, cherries, figs, pears and citrus fruits. If we talk about salads, then it is better to season them not with mayonnaise, but with butter or yogurt.
Grain and flour products: fresh bread, baked goods, cereals. For people who consume porridge every day, doctors advise boiling the cereals longer.
Salt, various seasonings and spices.
Carbohydrates. Glycogen is retained in human muscles, the level of which cannot be raised artificially. Products that contain carbohydrates send glycogen directly to the intestines, bypassing muscle tissue. This phenomenon leads to a person experiencing flatulence and bloating.
Chewing gum. Due to the fact that prolonged chewing can provoke flatulence, experts do not recommend chewing gum frequently.
Sugar alcohol. Products with a high content of xylitols and maltitols: candies, cookies, non-alcoholic energy drinks.
Fried and too fatty foods are digested very slowly in the gastrointestinal tract and cause gas formation in the intestines.
Carbonated drinks, coffee, cocoa, strong brewed tea - all this irritates the gastrointestinal tract.
Beer formed by fermentation. When such products penetrate the intestines, fermentation resumes.

Incorrect microflora in the intestines, a weak stomach - these factors contribute to bloating even after a couple of sips of an intoxicating drink.

In addition, gas formation can be caused by dysbiosis in the large intestine. If a person eats a lot of food, and there is a lack of bacteria in the intestines that absorb gases, flatulence disappears.

We should not exclude poor motility of the gastrointestinal tract, which is caused by surgical intervention in the body.

As a result of this phenomenon, the patient accumulates feces, causing rotting, fermentation and flatulence in the intestines in adults.

Prerequisites for the appearance of dyspepsia

A healthy person may experience symptoms of illness such as rumbling in the intestines, passing a large amount of gas and stool. This process is considered natural. But in order to determine developed fermentative dyspepsia in the human body, it is necessary to identify several factors simultaneously:

Ingestion of a large number of foods high in carbohydrates and quickly digestible sugars, including fruits, honey and nuts. In some cases, consuming too much fiber can lead to a disorder.
The presence of chronic deficiency of its own enzymes that break down carbohydrates (amylase), which as a result leads to an excess of neutral, undigested carbohydrate mass in the body. This enzyme deficiency can be either acquired or congenital.
The presence of dysbiosis in the intestines in the lower region (large intestine).
Impaired immunity of the immune system.

How to get rid of the problem

It is worth considering the fact that if there are products that cause gas formation, then there are also products that reduce it.

Such food makes it possible not only to forget what flatulence is, but to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Pumpkin that can be used in soups, stews, purees or simply baked in the oven. Not only is pumpkin delicious, it is also quite healthy.
Sweet peppers, fruits containing vitamin C.
Muesli, which is often used for breakfast.
“Live” yogurt, containing beneficial bacteria, fights dysbacteriosis well.
Rice dishes that are ideally digested in the stomach and restore its functioning.
Dietary meat, chicken, veal.

If you introduce all these products into your daily diet, gas formation in adults will occur much less frequently.

But even if changing the diet did not help get rid of the phenomenon in question, then gas formation should be treated by a doctor after he has carried out the necessary diagnostics.

Features of the diet for bloating

Therapy for flatulence is based on proper nutrition. Diet, in this case, implies compliance with several rules:

You should eat in small portions and often to avoid overeating and stomach overload. The ideal option is 6 meals a day. Such actions allow food to be fully absorbed and digested, eliminating stagnant processes.
Experts recommend eating at specific times. This will make it possible to “accustom” the stomach to the regime and produce gastric juice on a schedule.
When following a diet to avoid gas formation in adults, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of fluid daily. This does not include soups, teas, compotes and various juices.

You should not drink immediately after lunch; you can do this after 25-30 minutes. Due to the fact that water entering the gastrointestinal tract interferes with the functioning of gastric juice.

The juice is mixed with liquid, so its concentration is not enough for natural digestion of food.

With the help of a diet, you can not only get rid of abdominal pain, but also lose weight well, getting rid of excess weight.

If a person loves fruits or vegetables, it is recommended to eat them in small quantities and separately from the main diet.

Prevention methods

To prevent gas formation in the stomach:

eating fermented milk products, cereals, fruits and vegetables;
exclusion from the diet of oxidizing foods (fruit and berry juices, root vegetables, herbs);
compliance with the prescribed diet, compliance with the rules.

It is necessary to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have constipation or diarrhea. You need to drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Take medications prescribed by your doctor systematically and in a timely manner, and do not break your diet. Avoid fried, pickled, spicy foods, smoked meats, sausages, various sweets, and baked goods.

First aid for bloating

Products that cause fermentation can ruin all plans and cause a lot of discomfort to a person. That is why experts recommend learning a few simple recipes that can be used at home. They are:

You need to take 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda, add a little lemon juice or vinegar to it. Then the liquid is mixed in a small amount of water and drunk after meals. The remedy quickly eliminates unpleasant symptoms, but is not curative.
Performing a massage when pain occurs in the abdomen. Before performing such a massage, you need to lubricate your hands and stomach with ginger or clove essential oil.
Using chamomile tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract and helps remove excess gas.
If a woman likes starchy dishes, then you can add thyme, sage or rosemary to them.
Peppermint tea also fights flatulence well and has a softening and soothing effect.
You should eat food slowly, chewing it thoroughly. You need to devote more time to lunch and various snacks and strictly control the rate of food absorption.

It is noteworthy that not all products cause the problems in question. And the process of bloating does not always occur precisely because of foods, because indigestion is often observed even in infants.

The process can occur due to improper functioning of certain enzymes and due to various pathologies and diseases.

This suggests that if the amount of gas has not decreased, despite any diets and dietary restrictions, you should seek the help of a qualified specialist.

Only a qualified physician can conduct a proper examination of the patient’s body and prescribe a number of tests and procedures.

Then, based on the examination results, prescribe adequate treatment for flatulence, if necessary.

Preventive actions

The main preventive measure is to control your diet, which excludes junk food. This will relieve the stomach from fermentation and prevent damage to the intestinal mucosa and the penetration of bacteria. When the first symptoms occur, you should not self-medicate; you must seek qualified help in time. Untimely treatment or self-medication will harm your health and lead to irreversible complications in the digestive system.