Introduction

I struggled with a new problem last year, the severe flatulence or the passing of foul-smelling gas. I am a five-day-a-week office-going ordinary person. After my marriage in 2014, my eating habits changed dramatically. Eating a second meal at midnight caused my weight to increase rapidly. Within five years, my weight rose from 82 kg to 97 kg. Since I am six feet tall, it didn’t look too odd, but I began experiencing multiple health problems. After visiting several hospitals and taking various medications daily, I decided to look for an alternative solution. My priority was weight reduction, but I struggled to find an easy solution.

Finally, in 2019, I discovered the keto diet as an easy way to lose weight. Dr Jahangir Kabir and Dr Eric Brag’s videos motivated me in real. After going keto for six months, I was able to shed fifteen kg and reach my pre-marriage weight of eighty-two kilograms! However, after five years of maintaining the keto diet, I encountered a new problem in 2023: severe flatulence and the passing of foul-smelling gas.

Passing gas wasn’t new to me—it had always been normal and tolerable. But this time, the odor was unbearable. The stealthy gas leak embarrassed me, especially my wife was very annoyed. My little girl scolded me like ‘Hey daddy why don’t you go elsewhere?’. Een it even disrupted intimate moments with my wife and caused mood swings. I became anxious about attending family gatherings or other events. The problem even affected my sleep—if I ate nuts or beans in the evening, especially chickpeas, I struggled to sleep because of continuous farting through the night. Fortunately, I found an easy and affordable solution: apple cider vinegar (ACV).

Understanding the Problem: What Causes Foul-Smelling Flatulence?

I began by trying to understand the root cause of my excessive flatulence. I searched online and discovered several potential reasons for the problem:

Foods: Sulfur-containing foods like beans and cruciferous vegetables
Drinks: Carbonated beverages that produce air bubbles
Eating Habits: Eating or drinking too fast or consuming large meals
Medications: Certain drugs that can cause gas as a side effect
Constipation: A common cause of excessive gas
Bacteria or Infection: Large amounts of harmful bacteria in the gut
IBS: Gas can sometimes be a sign of something else going on, like not going to the bathroom often enough or having a long-term condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Colon Cancer: Although less often, colon cancer can cause an individual to have excessively foul-smelling gas.

Despite identifying these causes, I still felt confused. I wondered why I had the issue, but my wife didn’t, even though we ate the same food. I wasn’t satisfied with the common advice I found online, such as keeping a food diary, eating smaller meals, avoiding certain foods, or drinking herbal teas. I didn’t want to avoid nutritious foods like almonds and vegetables with a lot of fiber. I want to consume as much of the nutritious food as possible as it is my keto suggestion. I needed a solid solution—and I finally found one through a university colleague.

Why I Turned to Apple Cider Vinegar as a Solution

After trying several remedies without success, I shared my problem with Mojid Mondol, a professor of Food and Nutrition at my university. He advised me to consume apple cider vinegar (ACV) ten minutes prior to eating. Although I was skeptical, I followed his advice—and the result was astonishing.

I was amazed at how simple and affordable this solution was. It made me realize that knowledge is power—I had been searching far and wide for a solution when ACV was right within reach. My curiosity grew, and I began researching how ACV works.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Works for Digestion and Gas Relief

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), especially in its raw form, provides multiple digestive health benefits. It is a fermented liquid made from apples, bacteria, and yeast, containing proteins, enzymes, and beneficial probiotics known as “the mother.” These components support the gut microbiome and aid digestion by breaking down food and harmful bacteria.

The acidic properties of ACV can also boost stomach acid levels, enhancing digestion. Beyond its digestive benefits, ACV is associated with relief from acid reflux and better blood sugar control. Some evidence even suggests that it can manage diabetes and reduce high blood sugar levels. After learning all of this, I felt more confident in using ACV as a remedy.

How I Used Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Flatulence

I added ACV to my daily routine by mixing one tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water and drinking it 10 to 15 minutes before meals. Normally, I have three meals a day, five days a week, and two meals on the other two days due to intermittent fasting.

In addition to drinking ACV, I followed some tips I found online:

Chewing food more slowly
Avoiding overeating
Drinking from a glass (not using straws)
Avoiding snacks between meals
Increasing my intake of fruits

Some articles also mentioned using warm water with ACV for added benefits, but I found regular water worked well for me.

The Results: How Apple Cider Vinegar Worked for Me

Within just a week of drinking ACV before meals, I experienced great relief. My wife even asked, “What happened? You’re not farting anymore!” Hearing that from my wife made me very happy and confident.

ACV not only resolved my flatulence problem but also improved my overall gut health. I felt more energetic, slept better, and noticed improved mental clarity. This makes sense, as gut health and brain function are connected through the gut-brain axis, which links the digestive and nervous systems. A healthy gut improves mood, cognition, and mental well-being.

Challenges and Considerations

Initially, drinking ACV wasn’t enjoyable due to its taste and smell, but I got used to it within a week. Occasionally, I forget to drink it before meals, but if I remember during or right after eating, I drink it then.

Because ACV’s acidity might destroy tooth enamel, I also try to avoid getting it in direct touch with my teeth. Interestingly, the acetic acid in ACV may help get rid of coffee, wine, and smoking-related tooth discolorations.

Other Helpful Tips for Managing Flatulence

In case the flatulence issue persists, here are a few additional tips:

Drink water frequently throughout the day
Avoid problematic foods (like chickpeas) as your last meal
Limit water intake immediately after meals
Walk for at least two minutes after eating
Start meals with vegetables, followed by protein, and end with carbs
Incorporate fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut
Take probiotics to increase healthy gut bacteria
Reduce stress, as it affects digestion and can cause gas

Conclusion

I successfully solved my flatulence problem with apple cider vinegar. If you are experiencing a similar issue, I encourage you to try ACV. Incorporating ACV into your routine can support digestion, enhance stomach acid production, and balance gut bacteria, helping you find relief from flatulence. However, remember that ACV works best alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you have chronic digestive issues, consult a healthcare provider before relying on ACV as a remedy.