Although everyday gas and bloating are completely normal (studies show that most healthy people pass gas anywhere from 8 to 25 times a day, in fact), they can both be particularly frustrating.

Gas and bloating are caused by air that's trapped in the digestive system. That air is either unintentionally swallowed while eating or produced by gut bacteria during digestion. 

While gas and occasional bloating are a normal part of the digestive process, there are some pesky things that can cause more gas than usual.

Keeping a food journal can help you identify your triggers and tackle bloating and gas in the first place.

The small intestines and colon are filled with bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that ferment undigested carbohydrates, which results in hydrogen- and methane-rich gas.

Interestingly, some bacteria produce more gases than others. Research has identified some specific gut bacterial strains that produce irritating gas.

According to integrative medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D., "Bloating is caused by an imbalance of good-to-bad bacteria in your gut," which means, if you have more of the "bad" gas-producing bacterial strains in your gut (due to poor diet, stress, antibiotic use, or other lifestyle factors), then it can lead to excessive fermentation and more trapped gas in your gut. 

To tip the balance back in your favor, Shah suggests a probiotic supplement, adding, "Research shows that taking probiotics on a regular basis can support a healthy microbial balance in the gut, which can alleviate bloating."*

Studies1 suggest that certain strains of probiotics can help relieve gas and bloating, so look for a targeted supplement.*

Peppermint has been used as a digestive aid for hundreds of years. Peppermint oil, in particular, has been found to help relieve abdominal bloating4. 

This is due to the relaxing effect that its natural compounds, including several flavonoids extracted from peppermint leaves5, have on the digestive tract.

The best way to reap the bloat beating benefits of peppermint oil is to ingest it in capsule form.6

Ginger is another traditional bloating and indigestion remedy that is backed up by science.

As integrative dietitian Ali Miller, R.D., CDE, explains, "Ginger has both antiemetic and carminative functions, which aid in the breakdown of gas7 and support bowel movements."* 

Ginger also stimulates rhythmic contractions8 of the intestines, which moves things along and helps ward off bloating.*

No matter how hungry you are, allow time for mindful eating. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing—one bite at a time. 

As it turns out, cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and broccoli, can cause a buildup of gas.

These otherwise healthy veggies contain sulfur-containing phytochemicals called glucosinolates (that's what causes the stink when they're cooked) and raffinose9 (a type of carbohydrate that we don't have the enzymes to digest). 

When these undigested veggies travel to the colon, bacteria in the intestines ferment the undigested food, which creates gas and bloating. 

This doesn't mean you need to ditch cauliflower and other healthy cruciferous veggies altogether, though.

Cording suggests cooking them, "because cooking foods can help break them down.

Sugar-free chewing gum, mints, and desserts often use sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol, to create that sweet flavor with fewer calories.

However, sugar alcohols can negatively affect some individuals' digestive situation. 

This is because the body does not produce the enzymes required to digest sugar alcohols, so they make it pretty much intact to the colon, feeding the gut flora.

Beans have a reputation for increasing flatulence (aka gas) due to the presence of the indigestible carbohydrates raffinose and stachyose11. 

So if beans give you gas, then soaking them before cooking will help.

Soaking overnight and discarding the soaking water leaches out the sugars in beans that are responsible for gas production.

But if you don't have time for an overnight soak, then a quick soak is just as good. Rinse the beans and then place them in a pot with 3 cups of water for each cup of dried beans.

Bring to a boil and boil for two to three minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let stand for one hour. Drain the water, add fresh water, and then cook.

Enzymes found naturally in papaya13 can provide some digestive relief.

In one study of 126 individuals with chronic gastrointestinal problems, it was found that 20 ml of a daily papaya enzyme supplement improved bloating and regularity14.

Gut health expert Vincent Pedre, M.D., recommends massaging the abdomen for some belly-bloat relief: "Start in the right lower belly and move around clockwise several times, while relaxing, lying down with your knees bent."

Studies have found that abdominal massages can help relieve15 causes of bloat. 

Pedre also recommends doing yoga poses to help with digestion.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides (short-chain carbohydrates), and Polyols (sugar alcohols), which your body might not absorb well. The result can be gas and bloating.

While the occasional gas and bloating are normal and often caused by everyday activities like eating too fast or chewing gum, they can still be irritating (and sometimes painful).