Are you farting too much and not sure why it's happening? Check key causes of flatulence and food items you need to avoid to get rid of it

Flatulence is usually referred to as 'farting', is caused by gas in the bowel. Many people often experience flatulence, and it commonly happens due to multiple reasons. It is the medical term for releasing gas from the digestive system through the anus. It is also referred to as passing wind, or having gas.

Gas is primarily composed of hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, and it’s normal for it to collect inside the digestive system. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a human being farting up to 25 times per day is typical. Some people may experience excessive flatulence if large amounts of gas accumulate inside the digestive system.

Key reasons behind excessive flatulence

There can be several reasons behind excessive flatulence. These include, eating certain foods, swallowing air, or changes in the bacteria in the gut microbiome. Some digestive system disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, can produce excess gas.


Flatulence is often also accompanied by other symptoms that hamper day to day activities, including: bloating, belching, constipation and abdominal pain, according to Healthline. According to Better Health channel of Victoria state government, the intestines produce between 500 and 2,000mls of gas daily, which is passed out of the anus at regular intervals.

Foods to limit to reduce flatulence

To maintain a health diet, there are plethora of food items which are necessary but besides providing essential nutrients they tend to produce large amounts of flatus. These food items are essential and should not be eliminated so limiting their consumption is a better option.

Here are few food items that commonly cause flatulence:

• Dairy products including milk, if lactose intolerance is present
• Dried fruit like raisins and prunes
• Several fruits including apple, apricot, peach and pear
• Foods which carry high insoluble fibre particularly seeds and husks
• Legumes like beans, peas, chickpeas, soybeans and nuts
• Vegetables including carrot, eggplant, onion, Brussels sprouts and cabbage amd beans

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Besides the list of food items mentioned above, there are many others can also lead to excessive flatulence including Brussels sprouts, whole grains, asparagus, onions, pears, artichokes, wheat, oat bran, potatoes, corn, lentils and prunes. Consumption of ultra-processed foods can also be avoided.