To curb gas, take less carbohydrates

Do you know what ingredient in your diet keeps you going all day long? Well it is carbohydrate, which is an excellent source of readymade energy for all cells of our body (one gram of carb gives 4 k/cal of energy). But an overdose of carbohydrate in the diet can cause indigestion, which leads to gas problems.
However, it must be remembered that functioning of digestive enzymes in the body depends upon one’s genetic constitution, age, climate, lifestyle and food habits.
Elaborating on the effect of excess carbohydrates in one’s diet, consultant dietician Sampa Chakrabarty says, "Since excess carbohydrates are not digested completely, it results in the production of methane gas, which causes flatulence. Digestive problem arises from this incomplete combustion of carbohydrates. Since the body can take maximum ingestion of 50 grams of sugar at a time, the excess carbohydrate may produce fatty acid that causes obesity." "Also certain types of carbohydrates containing cellulose, lignin, polysaccharides and stachyose and scorodose can’t be digested easily. They get fermented and produce colon gas," adds another dietician Sumona Basak.
Dieticians and nutritionists list the dos and don’ts of diet to control gas problem: These include avoiding over-fried or greasy meals, maida, excess of whole grains, starchy and fast food, alcohol and coffee and carbonated beverages. It’s advisable to avoid excessively chilled water after meal as it lowers our body temperature and creates indigestion or gas problem. There should be a minimum interval of 4-5 hours between large meals to aid the digestion process. Drink water at least half an hour before or after the meal. Soups and salad can precede while green tea, sour curd, skimmed milk can follow a meal to help digestion.
Nutritionist Dr B. Shivaji points out that the symptoms of gas problems could include nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, heartburn, temporary loss of eye-sight, abdominal colic, constipation or dysentery. Antacid tablets can bring temporary relief to gas patients but ultimately leads to peptic ulcer by causing bleeding in the stomach wall. So, "nothing can be better than the natural antacid like honey water," says Dr Shivaji and adds that a balanced diet and drinking 3-4 litres of water daily can keep gas problems at bay.