Broccolli = Gas why?

Question

Sometimes I gethorrible gas pains from broccolli and I haveto take a Beano or a Gas-X pill. is there a specific name forthis kind of vegetable and are there more like it? I noticed this happens with cabbage sometimes also. Thanks-

Answer 1

it is one or a mixture of its victims (or nutritional factors) :) i think

Answer 2

Raffinose

Raffinose is the culprit in beans that causes so much gas. It is also found in the cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts, as well as other vegetables and whole grains. These foods are good for you, and I do not suggest you cut them from your diet. Rather, instead of eating big portions at one sitting, eat smaller portions several times per week.

Gas and Bloating

GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program

  

Everyone has gas and produces about 1-3 pints per day. Fortunately most gas is odorless - less than 1% smells. However, medications tend to increase this amount, as well as the bloating associated with it, causing discomfort and pain.

Medications, especially protease inhibitors

Long term antibiotic use can reduce the amount of good bacteria in the gut

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF GAS & BLOATING

Physical Changes in the stomach/intestines

Emotional Stress

Food Choices

Medications

EMOTIONAL STRESS

Try to make eating a pleasant and relaxed situation. Eating and drinking while stressed may cause you to swallow air and may interfere with digestion.

Close your mouth while eating. Eat slowly and chew foods well.

Drink slowly, sipping liquids rather than gulping, especially when taking multiple pills with water.

Avoid smoking.

TIPS WHEN MAKING FOOD CHOICES:

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Lactose intolerance occurs when you have reduced amounts of lactase, an enzyme found in the gut that is needed to breakdown lactose, the sugar found in milk (including low-fat and skim) and dairy products (including cheese and ice cream.) The following tips may help prevent gas and bloating due to lactose intolerance:

Lactase-treated milk (Lactaid is the most common brand), or Lactaid pills or drops may be purchased.

Yogurt may be digested easier than milk since some of the lactose is already broken down.

Hard cheeses such as parmesan may be better tolerated than soft cheeses, but this varies depending on the severity of the lactose intolerance.

Read labels on supplements or medicines if you are extremely lactose intolerant to make sure milk or lactose is not part of the ingredients.

BEANS

Beans, while nutritious and tasty, can be produce gas.

When cooking beans from scratch, drain the soaking water, rinse the beans well, and cook in clean water.

Epazote, a Mexican and Caribbean cooking herb, is used in bean dished to reduce gas.

Try cooking beans with a washed, unpeeled, whole orange. Add the orange to the pot with the beans, cook the beans, and remove and discard the orange when the beans have finished cooking.

If you are just starting to eat beans, eat small amounts until your body adjusts.

Beano, an over-the-counter product, contains a food enzyme that breaks down the complex sugars in beans and can be purchased to make beans more digestible and thus less gas-producing.

CRUCIFEROUS & OTHER VEGETABLES

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts) as well as other vegetables (onions and sweet green peppers) can cause gas and should be eaten in small amounts.

Beano can be purchased to make these vegetables more digestible and thus less gas-producing.

BEVERAGES

Avoid using straws when drinking beverages.

Carbonated beverages such as mineral water, sparkling juices, and soda should be consumed in moderation.

CHEWING GUM

Chewing gum and sucking on candy may cause you to swallow air which can cause gas.

Sugarless gums containing sorbitol can cause diarrhea and gas when fermented in the colon.

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS

Taking antibiotics, even for a short period of time, can upset the favorable bacterial balance in the gut. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a friendly bacteria you can buy in a liquid or powder form to help restore the balance.

Purchase only acidophilus that has been stored in the refrigerated section. This is the best bet that you are getting live acidophilus cultures.

Take the acidophilus 1-3 hours before or after taking the antibiotic.

Yogurt is a good source of acidophilus, but not all brands contain acidiophilus (look for words like "contains live cultures"); try Brown Cow or Stonyfield brands.

OTHER REMEDIES FOR GAS & BLOATING

Eating a low-fat diet may help speed stomach emptying, allowing gases to move along the digestive tract. This may also help with reducing the bloat and discomfort.

Herbal remedies may provide relief. A tea made with boiling water, honey and one of the following may be helpful: lemon, fennel seed, mint leaves, fresh ginger (crushed), or oregano.

Burnt toast may also provide relief.

Unfortunately, reducing gas is somewhat trial and error. Having a good idea of the most likely causes, and paying close attention to the foods you have eaten when more gas seems to occur, is usually the most effective way. Keeping a food diary is helpful for many people.

Papaya enzymes may help relief gas and bloating.

Answer 3

green veggies can be like that. broccoli is a big culprit in many people. it's just a gassy food. probably because of all the fiber. Take heart, though- fiber is good for you! though if you're going on a dinner-then-movie outing, best not to get the broccoli dish or ice cream.

Answer 4

Never experienced this with broccoli, but yes with cabbage to a certain degree; sometimes yes, sometimes no but nothing so severe.

You may want to watch your food combinations.  That is, not mixing foods that digest differently, such as keeping fruit separate from all other foods.  Do a search for 'food combination' or 'food combining'.  Used to be common sense, but we've lost this knowledge in modern times (at least in N. America).

Such gas also occurs often in overcooked foods.  You may also try to improve your digestive flora.

Answer 5

yes broccoli does give u gas i had horrible gas after eating a brocoli-cabbage salad last night!!!!!!!!!  beware!

Answer 6

Drink more water when you eat a lot of a fiber.

I get gas from everything.......... :o(

I get gas from water.

I'm not as bad as the girl in the movie Like water for Chocolate.... she had some bad gas.

Answer 7

broccoli contains a chain of sugar molecules that our bodies can't digest, Raffinose.

However, bacteria in our gut can digest Raffinose and produce gas when they feast.  This is like yeast producing carbon dioxide in bread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffinose

Answer 8

wat?

Answer 9

I got your email. I'm not sure what medicine clears up herpes. I would just go to the doctor. Good luck!

Answer 10

because of the sulfur deposits in broccoli