Why Do Eggs Give You Gas?
Eggs are the ultimate breakfast food; however, it’s not uncommon to experience a bit of thunder down under following the meal, likely causing you to ponder,why do eggs give you gas? There are several reasons why eggs make you gassy, and they can be a trigger for people with food sensitivities or might indicate a predisposition for abdominal discomfort and poor digestion. But before ditching your veggie omelet, consider this: Are eggs causing pain or simply just producing a little more gas than you’d really like? If you are in pain, it might be smart to get an allergy test or swap eggs for oatmeal to see if you notice a reduction in symptoms. If it’s simply experiencing gas after eggs, it’s definitely tolerable (although you might want to ditch the eggs before a first date or important work meeting!).
The most common reason for gas is food intolerance, explains Susan Berkman, a registered dietitian at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “There are a few reasons that you may experience gas or bloating after eating eggs. You may have an egg intolerance, meaning that you lack an enzyme required to break down certain components of the egg,” she defines.
Those with an intolerance can eat eggs in moderation, but should know that they will be more prone to gas, digestive discomfort, and a weakened ability to break down egg components. “With an egg intolerance, the undigested components of the egg enter your colon, and bacteria form around them, which can lead to gas. [The] severity of egg intolerances range from mild discomfort to severe pain,” explains Berkman.
On the other hand, “an egg allergy is an immune response to the egg proteins, and may have other symptoms than just gastrointestinal discomfort,” says Berkman. Egg allergy symptoms include respiratory difficulties, hives and rash, and anaphylaxis (though that is less common).
If neither of these apply to you, the discomfort could be due to foods that accompanied the eggs. “It may be that you ate another gas-producing food along with eggs,” Berkman explains. “The sulfur content of the eggs enhanced the odor of the gas caused by another food, making your gas more noticeable. Eggs are known to be an odor-producing food, but not necessarily a gas-producing food; however, everyone may react differently depending on their sensitivity to individual foods.”
At the end of the day, go with how your body feels when making a decision about eggs in your diet. Eggs are a healthy addition to any breakfast, so if the gas doesn’t bother you, don’t worry about it!
