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.

Here are some common causes—and natural remedies to help.

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.

Registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, says some of the common culprits include:

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

But if you're already feeling swollen and ready for stretchy pants, here are 10 natural remedies to try, all backed by science:*

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

Just be cautious if you have acid reflux because it can aggravate this.

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.*

Miller suggests sipping on ginger tea or taking ginger capsules before a meal.

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

When you rush meals, you not only risk overeating but also swallow more air, which can add to that full, bloated feeling.

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.

For example, cooked greens are better tolerated than raw." If you're still feeling the bloat, then she recommends sticking to small portions.

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.

In some individuals this can cause bloating and gas and even have a laxative effect10 in some.

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.

If you don't typically eat beans, then you could experience some initial bloating, although research has found that gas and bloating typically decrease12 with consistent intake.

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.

Taken before meals, papaya could improve digestion due to its natural digestive enzymes.

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.

Bending forward and twisting postures encourage movement of the intestines, helping move gas along.

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.

An analysis of 12 clinical studies found that a low-FODMAP diet16 offered significant relief from gastrointestinal issues, especially 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).

Luckily, these 10 science-backed home remedies above can help ease any discomfort.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 15, 2020. A previous version of this article indicated that most people pass gas 14 to 25 times per day. We have since clarified that statement to reflect the latest scientific research that indicates most healthy people flatulate anywhere from 8 to 25 times per day.