Intestinal Gas (Cont.)

• Everyone has gas in the digestive tract.
   
• People often believe they have excessive gas, even when the amount of gas they pass is normal.
   
• Intestinal gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and the normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the large intestine.
   
• Many foods with carbohydrates can cause intestinal gas. Fats and proteins cause little gas.
   
• Foods that may cause intestinal gas include:

o Beans

o Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, and   

   asparagus

o Fruits, such as pears, apples, and peaches

o Whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran

o Soft drinks and fruit drinks

o Milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and packaged foods prepared with

   lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing

o Foods containing sorbitol, such as diet foods and sugar-free candies and gums.