The body is designed to produce gas and then eliminate that gas by passing it through the rectum or by burping. Gas in the gastrointestinal system (GI) is created from air that is swallowed or from the breakdown of certain foods by bacteria living in the colon.

Because it is not cool to pass gas or burp, except maybe in a rowdy locker room, many people fret over the fact that they actually pass gas and wonder if perhaps they do it too often! Well, probably not. Most people pass gas approximately 14 times each and every day...see, don't you feel better!

There are a few things that you can do to help reduce the amount of gas you experience each day. For example, one of the easiest changes to make is to cut down on the foods that cause gas. Foods like beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, soft drinks, beer, whole grains, and corn are all examples of gas producing foods. Other suggestions are to eat slower and chew more so that you swallow less air when you swallow.

It is important to remember that these simple tricks can help to reduce the amount of gas you pass each day, but it is equally important to remember that passing gas is normal and most people think they pass too much gas, when indeed they are just actually normal.

It's just not one of those "body things" that people sit around and compare stats on. However, it after you've tried some of the tips listed above and you are still fretting over the amount of gas you pass each day, then it is time to see your physician and discuss your particular challenges.

Yes, passing gas is a fact of life! There are simple lifestyle changes you can make in order to perhaps reduce the amount of gas you pass each day, but regardless of what you do, you will never completely eliminate gas.

Your body needs an outlet and burping and passing gas is designed to be just that outlet.