What causes bloating? Common causes and the clue for each
Swallowed air, foods your gut ferments, big meals, hormone shifts and more, each with the pattern that points to it.
Bloating and gas after meals, food by food.
Which foods tend to bring on gas, what digestive enzymes were tested for, and when to see a doctor.
Start with the food
Pick what you ate. Each food links to what the NIDDK, part of the National Institutes of Health, says about it.
Food by food
Foods and drinks that the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists as ones that may lead to more gas, with one line from the source. Use the search box at the top to filter this list.
Milk, ice cream and yogurt
Dairy products are on NIDDK's list of foods and drinks that may lead to excess gas. Some people have digestive symptoms after foods or drinks that contain lactose, the sugar in milk.
Lactase, which NIDDK names for lactose, is listed on the Digestive Enzymes label. When it is taken.
Beans, peas and lentils
NIDDK lists legumes, the group that includes beans, peas and lentils, among foods that may lead to excess gas.
A small 2007 study gave alpha-galactosidase with a bean meal. See what it measured.
Source: NIDDK: eating and gas
Broccoli, cauliflower and kale
Cruciferous vegetables, a group that includes broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and kale, are on the same NIDDK list.
Source: NIDDK: eating and gas
Whole grains
NIDDK lists whole grains, such as whole wheat, among the foods that may lead to excess gas.
Source: NIDDK: eating and gas
Apples, peaches and pears
Certain fruits, including apples, peaches and pears, and fruit juices are on the NIDDK list.
Source: NIDDK: eating and gas
Fizzy drinks
You swallow more air when you drink fizzy drinks, and NIDDK lists soft drinks with high fructose corn syrup among drinks that may lead to excess gas.
Sugar-free candy and gum
Sweeteners whose names end in "-ol", such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol, are on the NIDDK list. Chewing gum also adds swallowed air.
Large meals, eaten fast
NIDDK says a doctor may suggest eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger ones, and eating slowly, sitting down when you can.
Source: NIDDK: eating and gas, NIDDK: reducing gas
All answers
Ten answers are published, newest first.
"You should talk with your doctor if gas symptoms bother you."NIDDK, Symptoms and Causes of Gas
When to see a doctor
- Gas or bloating that has not settled after a few weeks, or keeps returning
- Blood in or on your stool
- Weight going up or down for no reason you know of
- Belly pain that is severe or does not ease
- Pregnancy, nursing or a prescription medicine, before you add any supplement
Products discussed on this site
Physician's Choice publishes this site and makes both products. Each line below comes from the printed label or the product page.
Digestive Enzymes
- Enzyme blend
- 85 mg, 16 enzymes, including lactase and alpha-galactosidase
- Prebiotic and probiotic blend
- 159 mg
- Serving
- 1 capsule; 60 servings
- Directions
- 1 capsule, taken with your largest meal
Bloat + Gas Probiotic
- Pre, pro and postbiotic blend
- 325 mg: tributyrin (CoreBiome), B. subtilis OPTIBIOME BS50 (2 billion CFU), organic acacia
- Enzyme blend
- 36 mg, including alpha-galactosidase
- Herbal blend
- 50 mg: artichoke leaf and ginger