Bloating is defined as a feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen that may be accompanied by visible distention. Some people experience bloating as a result of underlying medical disorders, such as Crohn's disease or internal hernias, but in most cases, bloating is caused by the gas that builds up in your digestive tract after you eat certain foods, such as fruit.
Physiology
Most digestion and absorption takes place in your small intestine. Because your small intestine lacks certain enzymes, however, your body cannot physically digest some carbohydrates -- specifically sugar, fiber and starch. As a result, these carbohydrates move undigested from the small intestine to the large intestine, where the bacteria that live in your digestive tract thrive. These bacteria break down the sugar, fiber and starch, producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide as byproducts. These gases accumulate in your digestive tract, causing abdominal bloating and gas.
Bloating and Fruit
Fruit is high in the natural sugar -- fructose -- as well as a type of fiber called soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. because of its high content of indigestible carbohydrates, fruit is a common cause of bloating in healthy individuals. The way you eat fruit may also play a role in the development of bloating. Eating too quickly can cause you to swallow excess air, which contributes to bloating.
Prevention
Because diet is a common cause of bloating, dietary changes are often the first step in treating the gas that causes bloating. If eating fruit causes bloating, you may need to reduce the amount of fruit you eat daily. It can also help to eat smaller bites and chew the fruit thoroughly to maximize digestion in your mouth. Eating slowly can also help you swallow less air, decreasing intestinal gas. It may also be beneficial to drink more water if the fiber in the fruit is the cause of the bloating. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps move fiber through your digestive tract and decreases uncomfortable side effects. Taking the skin off fruits, such as apples, pears and peaches, may also help reduce bloating, since most of the fiber content is found in the skin.
Considerations
If you experience severe bloating from fruit, you may have an underlying condition called fructose intolerance. If you have this hereditary condition, your body lacks the enzyme to break down the fruit sugar fructose. Eating fruit can lead to serious complications, including liver and kidney damage. Another, less serious condition called fructose malabsorption may also lead to bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating fruit. While this condition is uncomfortable, it does not lead to organ damage.
