Have you Ever Wondered why we Fart?
Why do we fart?
Flatulence, also known as a fart, is something everyone experiences. It’s the release of intestinal gas, which forms as a result of digesting food. Gas can be found throughout the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.
We fart because of the buildup of gas in our bodies, typically due to:
- Swallowed air: We swallow air throughout the day, including from carbonated beverages or taking in air as we chew.
- An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine: Several conditions can lead to bacteria overgrowth, including type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Carbohydrates that haven’t been fully digested: Sometimes all your food doesn’t get fully digested by the enzymes in the small intestines. When partially digested carbs reach the colon, bacteria convert part of that food into hydrogen and carbon dioxide gasses.
On average, an adult exhales between 10 and 20 times a day. Gases are a normal consequence of the digestive process. However, if it accumulates in the intestines without the possibility of coming out, feelings of discomfort and pain are possible.
The most common reasons
Such pain and bloating can be exacerbated by any cause of diarrhea and constipation. Gases can also be caused by:
• overeating
• swallowing large amounts of gas when eating or drinking liquids
• eating certain foods
• smoking cigarettes
• chewing gum
If, on the other hand, the gas causes you anxiety, changes very abruptly or is accompanied by constipation, diarrhea or weight loss, then you should visit a doctor who will determine the exact causes of these symptoms.
Foods that cause excess gas
Foods that cause gas in one person might not cause it in another. Common gas-producing foods and substances include:
- Beans and lentils
- Vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy and Brussels sprouts
- Bran
- Dairy products containing lactose
- Fructose, which is found in some fruits and used as a sweetener in soft drinks and other products
- Sorbitol, a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free candies, gums and artificial sweeteners
- Carbonated beverages, such as soda or beer
Emissions should not be delayed!
Emissions are actually good for your health. You should not stop farting unless you are in an elevator with other people or in the boss’s office. However, holding the fart too long can damage the intestines. It is very likely that if you keep the gas too much, it will eventually come out whether you want it or not. Flatulence occurs when you try to hold back the gases that want to escape. So it does not do that, except when you have to.
Unpleasant odors
Unpleasant odors that you emit can be an alarm that will tell you that something is wrong. Extreme, unusual odors when you exhale if they occur too often can be a sign that something is wrong with your body. Pay attention to that and visit a doctor if necessary.
Healthy people often emit gas
Healthy people often emit gas and this is a sign that they have a good intestinal microflora. As mentioned above, there are foods that cause more gas, so if you consume such food often, get used to the frequent release of gas.
Irregular bowel movements cause more gas
Frequent bowel movements maintain good health. In this way the body throws away leftover food that it does not need. But if the food that is supposed to be thrown out stays in the digestive tract for too long, the bacteria doing their job cause fermentation and the release of gases that accumulate in the intestines. Eventually they come out in the form of wind with an unpleasant odor.
Source:mayoclinic.org, healthline.com, holisticlivingcorner.com
