Intestinal gas, also called flatulence or flatus, forms from bacteria breaking down food and from air in the large intestine. The small intestine has trouble digesting certain products in foods, such as starch, fiber and sugars. After foods with these products pass to the large intestine, bacteria help break down the products and cause gas. The average individual produces one to four pints of gas each day and passes the gas around 14 times, according to Medline Plus. Foods that cause gas for one person may not cause gas for another, so if the gas is bothersome, keeping a food journal to help determine offending foods may help.
Beans, Vegetables and Grains
Foods such as beans and lentils are notorious for causing intestinal gas. Beans contain a complex sugar called raffinose. Once broken down by the bacteria, raffinose may cause excessive amounts of gas in the large intestine. In addition to beans, some vegetables contain raffinose and can cause gas to develop. These common vegetables include broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Whole grains contain raffinose as well.
Starch
Products containing starches will cause gas in the large intestine. Foods containing starches include pasta, wheat, corn and potatoes. Whole grains contain raffinose and starches, both of which can cause gas.
Dairy Products
Dairy products contain a sugar called lactose. Many individuals have an intolerance to lactose in the intestines.
Fruit
Fruits contain natural sugars called fructose and sorbitol that can produce gas in the intestines. Common fruits that may cause gas include apples, pears and peaches, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. A few vegetables contain fructose also, such as onions and artichokes.
Spicy and Fatty Foods
Hot and spicy foods move quickly through the bowels, according to the University of Michigan Health System. This increase in movement, not the foods themselves, may create intestinal gas.
Beverages
Some beverages may increase the amount of gas in the body. Drinks that contain carbonated water have air introduced into the product and may cause gas. Caffeinated products increase the rate of activity in the intestines and may cause gas to occur. Beer and fruit juices are other beverages that may increase the production of gas in the body due to the yeast or sugar in the drink.
