A silent hiss, you didn't hear it but it was definitely in the air. You feel the grumble in your stomach but rather hold it in to avoid embarrassment in a room full of people. These are some scenarios that are more than regular on regular days. In addition, here is our friendly, neighbourhood advice, 'don't hold back farts, it may prove to be harmful in the long run!'

Here is more from us on the mechanism behind farting and the benefit of you releasing it routinely.

Why does one fart?

Farting is essentially your stomach and digestive system hard at work to keep your digestive tract healthy. During the digestive process, carbohydrates, proteins, grains, sugar, fat, fibre, etc., are broken into micro and macronutrients. Along with these nutrients, the digestive system releases gas, some of which is absorbed in the digestive tract and the remaining is moved out of the body to maintain homeostasis (healthy body balance). The intestines push out this gas through the anus, scientifically coined flatulence.

Sometimes, air inhaled while eating gets trapped in the stomach and is let out either as a burp or a fart. In summary, farting is essentially the body’s way of letting excessive gas out of the body to maintain its health.

Farting helps you

• Improve digestive function: Excessive gas causes damage to the colon and intestines. Farting enables gas to be let out.
• Reduce bloating: Gas in the stomach and intestines may accumulate and cause bloating (uncomfortable feeling of fullness).
• Avoid abdominal pain: Abdominal pain may occur as a result of huge amounts of gas getting accumulated in the stomach due to bloating or holding in a fart voluntarily.
• Improve mitochondrial (energy cells) function: Researchers have discovered the benefits of smelling a fart. Smelling one’s fart (hydrogen sulphide) may improve the functioning of mitochondria in the body which also helps in reducing the risk of chronic illnesses.

Benefits of farting

In addition to the most obvious farting benefits, the wrongly blamed farts can help you assess your health, here's how:

• Farting is indicative of a balanced diet: Only a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre, and water, helps your body function smoothly. When your body releases gas in the processing of these nutrients, you are doing something right with your diet.
• Farting frequency and smell may help identify digestive issues: Farting about 15-25 times a day with a mild to no smell can be considered normal for any individual. When farting frequency rises above 25 times a day with a foul smell, it surely is a warning sign of a digestive issue, warranting consultation with a doctor or visiting the hospital.

Release that fart for good health!

Is farting a good thing? 

Yes, farting is beneficial for you as it helps your body function effectively.

It is a mechanism to let out excessive gas formed after food is processed in the stomach and the intestines. A balanced diet containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre, and water help maintain homeostasis in the body with an optimal gas release. However, if your farts are too smelly or are accompanied by abdominal pain or diarrhoea,

Consult An Apollo Gastroenterologist

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.