Stomach bloating: Avoid eating this fruit as it traps wind and makes symptoms worse

Stomach bloating can appear at any age and is generally associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders or organic diseases. A person will often feel a full and tight abdomen. The first step for bloating management is to find a treatment for the underlying causes that produce the bloating and this can be done with a detailed medical history or a physical examination. A simpler way however is analysing what you eat and which are the food culprits causing the bloat. This can be achieved by keeping a food diary and watching out for which foods are the triggers. When it comes to one’s diet, a certain fruit has been known to make symptoms worse. What is it?

Despite being relatively low in calories and often recommended by dieticians and nutritionists, apples could be contributing to the excess gas in the gut.

Apples are among the most popular fruits in the world. They are high in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants, and have been linked with a range of health benefits. However, apples have also been known to cause bloating and other digestive issues for some.

Apples contain fructose which is the culprit when it comes to gas. Fructose and fibre can both fermented in the large intestine and causes gas and bloating.

Apples are also high in fibre and sorbitol making bloating symptoms worse.

Nutritionist Cynthia Sass said: “Eating apples specifically has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

“Eat them in moderation and separately from meals and time your eating right.

If you’ll be wearing a form-fitting outfit or bathing suit, you might not want to reach for an apple.”

Nutritionist Emma Thornton added: “Apples are well known for their low calorie status and often a popular choice amongst dieters.

However, it’s possible that you could be sabotaging your washboard tum with that apple a day.

“Apples are rich in fructose which falls in the category of FODMAPs.

FODMAPs are specific types of indigestible carbohydrates which are instead broken down by bacteria in the large intestine.”

Other known fruits that cause bloating and aggravate the belly are peaches, prunes, and pears.

The NHS said: “Keep a food and symptom diary to see if diet affects your bloating symptoms.

“Limit fruit to three portions a day and fruit juice to one small glass a day.”