I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles Trivia Quiz

Answer: A sugar called raffinose

Beans are a healthy food that contain a lot of protein and fibre. However, they also contain raffinose, which is a complex sugar that the body struggles to digest. After you eat them and the beans pass through the small intestine, they move into the large intestine where the body tries to digest that complex sugar. Bacteria break down the raffinose, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane gas.

These gases are then expelled through the rectum. Most beans will have this effect on the body, but there are some over-the-counter medications that have been helpful to some people in alleviating these "bubbles". If you are cooking with dry beans, soaking them for 8-12 hours and discarding the soaking water before cooking will also reduce the raffinose.

Answer: They don't produce enough lactase

Lactose is a sugar that is found in milk, cream, cheese, ice cream, and many other dairy products. In order to digest lactose, humans need an enzyme known as lactase that digests the sugars. If an individual does not produce enough lactase, they are not able to digest dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and gas.

Many non-dairy products can be found in supermarkets that allow those who suffer from lactose intolerance to enjoy dairy-like food items without having to worry about developing "bubbles".

Answer: Rice

Whole grains like wheat and oats contain fiber, raffinose, and starch, all of which can cause gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice is the only starchy food that does not produce gas as it is broken down because it is very low in sugars. Nutritionists recommend consuming brown or wild rice for their high fibre content and nutritional "punch". Rice noodles can also be substituted for wheat pasta if "bubbles" are a problem after eating whole grain foods.

Answer: Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are members of the Brassica genus of plants. This group of vegetables includes arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, horseradish, kale, radishes, rutabaga, turnips, watercress and others. Cruciferous vegetables are high in fibre, and rich in nutrients. Several peer-reviewed studies have shown a link between higher intake of these vegetables and a lower risk of certain types of cancer.

However, most of these vegetables will cause gas because they contain raffinose, the same complex sugar that is in beans.

As bacteria in the large intestine digests these this sugar, gasses result that must be expelled. To limit the "bubbles" after eating them, there are over-the-counter medications available that seem to help some people.

Answer: True

According to medical professionals, when you drink a carbonated beverage, it is very unlikely that the gas in the beverage (carbon dioxide) will reach your stomach. Although it can reach your stomach on rare occasions, it is much more likely to gather in your esophagus before it is expelled as a belch or burp.

Although this type of "bubbles" can be less embarrassing than others, it is wise to be mindful when drinking carbonated beverages in social situations where it would be considered to be impolite to burp out loud.

Answer: Sorbitol and fibre

Fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, prunes, and bananas contain sorbitol. This is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol. They also contain lots of fibre. The body has to work very hard to digest both of these things, which causes bacteria in the large intestine to release the extra gases that are created as a result.

Despite the "bubbles", it is very important to eat a diet with fruits included. Some fruits such as cantaloupes tend not to cause the gaseous effect, so if gas is a fruity issue for you, consulting with a nutritionist for alternatives might be helpful.

Answer: Yes

There are a couple of issues with hard candy. First off, many candies are sweetened with sorbitol, the naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is found in many fruits. The body struggles to digest sorbitol, so bacteria in the large intestine will produce "bubbles" if more than one or two hard candies are ingested. Secondly, sucking on hard candies may cause you to swallow extra air that will be expelled through extra burps.

Answer: Fructose

Onions are another food that causes "bubbles" when eaten. This is because they contain a sugar known as fructose. Like raffinose in beans, the body has to work hard to digest the fructose. The gasses that are formed by the bacteria in the large intestine as a result are expelled through the rectum. So, if onions are a gassy problem for you, you may want to hold the onions the next time that you order a pizza.

Answer: Wrapping the gum in paper to dispose of it

Gum can cause extra burping because you tend to swallow more air when it is chewed. This effect may increase if large wads of bubble gum are chewed because it may cause you to chew with your mouth open, allowing more air in to be swallowed. Sugar-free gums are usually sweetened with sugar alcohols that are harder to digest.

These include sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, all of which will cause added gas when they reach your large intestine because the bacteria there has to work hard to digest these sweeteners. So, if you notice "bubbles" after chewing gum, you may want to avoid the sugar-free types.

Answer: Diarrhea

Shiitake mushrooms contain mannitol. This is another natural sugar that the body struggles to digest. The struggle in the large intestine results in the bacteria there creating "bubbles" that are expelled through the rectum. Mannitol is also a mild laxative, so even though they are delicious, you shouldn't eat too many of these fungi.