Stomach bloating: this common food is one of the causes

A bloated stomach usually happens after eating food which the body struggles to properly digest. The most obvious culprits are fatty and stodgy foods, like junk food, while gassy drinks like

beer can also cause trapped wind and bloating. But stomach bloating is not solely down to consumption of unhealthy foods. It can also be caused by healthy foods and vegetables. One common,

staple cooking ingredient which can cause a bloated tummy, is onions. Onions can cause excess gas in the digestive tract, which can lead to trapped wind and bloating. This is due to onions

containing fructans, which are polymers of fructose molecules. Fructans can cause digestion issues in people who are sensitive to them, due to a lack in the human body of the digestive

enzymes needed to break them down. When this happens, the fructans which are not broken down are fermented in the large bowel, causing bloating. People who are sensitive to fructans could

have an intolerance, which would need to be addressed by cutting fructans from their diet. Fructans are also present in vegetables such as spring onions, artichokes, asparagus, leeks,

cabbage, broccoli and garlic. Wheat products like bread and pasta are also high in fructans. Onions can be particularly problematic when eaten raw, so cooking them may make them easier to

digest. Alternatively, cut onions out completely and replace with them herbs or spices to add flavour to your food. “Most of us have experienced the feeling of being bloated, when your tummy

is stretched, puffy and uncomfortable,” said the NHS. “It often happens after a big weekend or over a festive season. But for some people, bloating is more than an occasional

inconvenience.” “The best approach if you have a food intolerance is to eat less of the culprit food or cut it out completely.” If you suspect you may be intolerant to fructans, you could

try cutting them out of your diet for a while and see what happens. The NHS advises cutting out the suspected food for two to six weeks to see if symptoms improve. The health body also

advises cutting down on junk food and carbonated drinks to prevent bloating. Exercising regularly can also prevent bloating by keeping the digestive system moving.