(DDM) – While many people find it embarrassing to talk about, medical experts have clarified that farting, or flatulence, is a completely natural part of human digestion and an important indicator of gut health.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that despite its unpleasant reputation, passing gas is a normal physiological process that helps the body release excess air and digestive gases accumulated during food breakdown.
According to medical researchers quoted by Medical News Today, farting occurs when bacteria in the intestines digest undigested food particles, producing gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen. These gases are then expelled through the rectum.
Doctors emphasize that understanding the science of flatulence can help people recognize early signs of digestive disorders, avoid unnecessary embarrassment, and even improve dietary habits.
Here are some medically proven facts about farting everyone should know:
1. Every healthy person farts daily.
Studies show that an average adult produces between 0.6 and 1.8 liters of intestinal gas each day. Experts say a healthy individual may fart between 10 and 25 times daily, depending on diet, metabolism, and digestive activity.
2. Not all farts smell bad.
Only about 1% of intestinal gas contains hydrogen sulfide, the compound responsible for foul odors. Most gases are odorless mixtures of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
3. People fart more while asleep.
Medical studies reveal that the body naturally releases more gas during sleep because the muscles controlling the anus relax unconsciously, allowing gases to escape freely.
4. Diet influences gas production.
Foods like beans, cabbage, and onions cause increased flatulence because they contain complex carbohydrates that are hard to digest. Soaking beans overnight before cooking helps reduce gas-causing compounds.
5. Farting indicates a healthy digestive system.
Doctors say regular farting means that food is being properly digested and intestinal bacteria are functioning efficiently. A sudden absence of gas could actually suggest digestive sluggishness or intestinal blockage.
6. The word “fart” has ancient roots.
The term originates from the Old English word “foertan,” meaning “to break wind.” Despite cultural taboos, humans have been passing gas since the beginning of time.
Medical experts recommend that people pay attention to changes in their flatulence patterns, such as sudden foul odor, pain, or bloating, as these may signal underlying health issues like lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or bacterial imbalance.
Dr. Henry Akor, a gastroenterologist in Abuja, told DDM that excessive flatulence could sometimes indicate problems with gut microbiota.
He said, “It’s normal to fart, but when it becomes unusually smelly or accompanied by discomfort, that’s when you should see a doctor.”
Experts further note that lifestyle habits such as eating slowly, avoiding carbonated drinks, and exercising regularly can help reduce excessive gas buildup.
Nutritionists also stress that fiber-rich foods like fruits, whole grains, and vegetables help regulate digestion but can temporarily increase gas production as the body adjusts.
Meanwhile, medical humorists say society’s discomfort around farting often prevents honest health conversations. “Everyone farts, from presidents to preachers,” one wrote, “the difference is only in who admits it.”
In the end, experts agree that farting is a vital sign of good digestive health, not a social crime. It shows that your gut is alive, active, and doing its job, quietly or loudly.
So, the next time you fart, don’t be too embarrassed. It might just mean your body is working perfectly fine.
