Flatulence, rumbling intestines, a bloated stomach... There are many forms of digestive problems. Here you can read about how digestive problems occur and what you can do about them.
A common form of discomfort is flatulence. It is caused by air and gas buildup in the intestine and is a byproduct of our digestive process. The hardworking intestinal bacteria process the food consumed. During this digestive process, waste products are formed, in this case in the form of air-gas mixtures. This air escapes either through burping or via the honorable rear end. A perfectly normal process that occurs unnoticed, with or without sound, and is odorless. The colloquial "fart" happens several times a day and should not be suppressed. Go to the restroom and let the "air" out. In Western cultures, this is a taboo and shameful topic. Yet it is natural and healthy.
Air in the stomach
Chewing incorrectly and swallowing too much air while eating, as well as gas-inducing foods, influence air accumulation in the intestine and the digestive process. Anxiety and stress can also be a factor in disturbed digestion. During stress, certain functions are "put on the back burner." In states of stress, the body slows down digestive processes.
• Eating consciously and in a relaxed manner helps us maintain good digestion.
Chewing is half the battle
The work of digestion begins in the mouth, strictly speaking, the moment you see the food. This can stimulate saliva and gastric secretions. It is not said for nothing: "The eye eats too." Otherwise, the rule applies: with careful eating, food is slowly chewed into a paste. Large pieces of food, on the other hand, mean longer breakdown work in the digestive tract. This can lead to flatulence and a feeling of fullness. Those who chew slowly will feel full faster with less food. This is because the feeling of satiety usually kicks in after 15 minutes. In other words, those who have gobbled everything up in the first ten minutes were fast in the short term, but are doing their stomach no favors in the long run, not to mention the healthy figure.
• Careful and slow chewing provides good preparation for the stomach and intestines and helps you feel full faster with less food.
Don't talk with your mouth full
This is not just about table manners. More importantly: We swallow less air while eating. For some, the image of generations of annoying fathers or mothers at the table is now being put into the right light. Perhaps you find or have found yourself in a situation where you caught yourself or your children talking with their mouths full at the table.
• Chew with your mouth closed. This allows less air into the intestine. This makes digestion more pleasant.
Every bean has its sound
Certain foods can cause a bloated stomach. For some, certain plant-based or animal-based foods, including dairy products, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fatty and sugary foods, belong on the list of gas-inducing diets. Among plant-based foods, it is the legumes, the "beans," such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans themselves. But vegetables like cabbage, onions, eggplants, corn, and bell peppers can also lead to flatulence.
• Find out if legumes, etc., are causing your bloated stomach.
Too much venting?
What happens in the intestine? During the digestion of these foods, gases are produced in increased quantities in the intestinal area. This leads to a "bloated stomach" and a feeling of fullness. You can hear the intestinal activity and there is an increase in flatulence. As a rule, about 20 farts per day are considered normal. Anyone who suffers from increased or chronic flatulence, or if this smells unpleasant, combined with discomfort and pain in the abdomen, should see a doctor to clarify the causes. This also applies to increased burping with an unpleasant aftertaste.
• If you are unsure about the frequency or smell of your "farting," it is best to go to the doctor and discuss it with them.
Good to know: Otherwise, there are traditional medicinal plants with their bitter substances that can help you with digestion. These include the bitter substances (secondary plant compounds) from artichoke, milk thistle, turmeric, and dandelion.
Food intolerances: A question of age?
Raw onion, red bell pepper, tomato skin, cow's milk, or garlic? Certain foods that you could digest well in your younger years end up on the red list as you get older. It may also be that you have never tolerated certain foods. After all, digestion can become slower and at the same time more susceptible to food intolerances.
• Observe what does you good and what does you harm. Tip: Sometimes it is only certain parts of plants that are not tolerated. With bell peppers and tomatoes, for example, it can be the skin. This can be removed. In some cases with garlic, removing the green core helps. • Are you interested in gastrointestinal products? You can find them here.
