Ayurveda-approved 4 antidotes for daily dishes to avoid gas and bloating

From Rajma to Chole, there are many staples of Indian homes that are loved by us. These foods often cause bloating and gas primarily because they contain complex carbohydrates and sugars, particularly oligosaccharides like stachyose and raffinose, which human digestive enzymes cannot break down. When these undigested carbohydrates reach the large intestine, gut bacteria ferment them, producing gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane as by-products, which lead to bloating, discomfort, and flatulence. Hence, it is very important to treat these dishes well to make them gut-friendly. In a recent post on Instagram, nutritionist Shweta Shah shared Ayurveda-approved five antidotes for daily dishes to avoid bloating, gas, and flatulence. Scroll down to read the details.

It can cause acidity, due to the combination of spices, tamarind and lentils. As per experts, it happens because sambar contains tamarind and other souring agents that are acidic in nature. Tamarind, which is a common ingredient in sambar, has a high acidic content that can increase stomach acidity and trigger acid reflux or heartburn in sensitive individuals. The solution is to add pumpkin to it. It's cooling and alkaline in nature, which calms the stomach.

This popular dish often leads to gas and heaviness. It happens because chole contains complex sugars called oligosaccharides (such as raffinose and stachyose) that the human digestive system cannot break down. The solution is to add hing and jeera in tempering, as these spices help break proteins and ease digestion.

Rajma is said to often lead to bloating. It causes bloating primarily due to the presence of anti-nutrients like lectins, and complex carbohydrates such as oligosaccharides (stachyose and raffinose) that humans cannot fully digest.The oligosaccharides and fiber in rajma reach the large intestine undigested, where gut bacteria ferment them, producing gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane, leading to bloating, flatulence, and discomfort. The solution is to add bay leaf in tempering, as it is naturally loaded with compounds that reduces the chances of gas formation.

Due to lentils, it can lead to gas and bloating. Moong dal causes bloating mainly due to the presence of phytic acid and complex carbohydrates like oligosaccharides (raffinose and stachyose), which are hard for the digestive system to break down. For the unversed, phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that can cause indigestion and interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to bloating and gas. To make it easy on the gut, all you need to do is soak the batter along with elaichi, coriander seeds, and black pepper corn. These spices help reduce gas and acidity.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is meant for general knowledge only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new routine.