Farting – Better Out Than In

Flatulence – The Good

Most of us get a chuckle when we hear (or smell) that familiar sound… a fart! You can feel the gas building in your stomach and moving down through your intestines. And then, phhht, it escapes. Many people are embarrassed, especially women. But did you know that there is a lot that you can tell from that gassy air escaping your body?

This funny and embarrassing fart is actually beneficial for you! You may ask, why do I fart?  Well, when we open our mouth and speak, eat, drink, and even chew, we tend to swallow air. That air has to escape the body somehow. And it does that in one of two ways – burping or farting.

Passing gas is a sign that your body and digestive system is working correctly. There are some things that your farts can tell you about your body.

Reduce Bloating

We all know how it is… you feel bloated or overly full. It is uncomfortable. The cause of this bloating is too much gas in your digestive tract.  There are some foods that you eat that can cause bloating:

• Beans  – A lot of people call these the magical fruit because they make you toot. We all know that rhyme. But beans can make us gassy. They are healthy. They are full of protein and healthy carbs. And they are a high fiber food. But, the culprit that causes the gas are the sugars that are called “alpha-galactosides, which belong to a group of carbs called FODMAPs.” These carbs are the ones that are not digested and are fermented by the bacteria in your gut (in the colon). The fermentation causes the gas. Most people don’t suffer too much from the bloating and gas but some people who have things like irritable bowel syndrome, a different type of gas forms that tends to cause major digestive issues.
• Carbonated Drinks – Who doesn’t love a nice cold soda? But these drinks have a lot of carbon dioxide in them. That is what gives these drinks their bubbles. But those bubbles go to your stomach and end up in your digestive system causing gas and bloating.
• Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage and other vegetables – Even though these vegetables are healthy for you, they contain the same FODMAP’s as beans. That means some people will have more bloating if they eat them. Cooking does make them easier to digest.
• Onions – Onions add so much flavor to salads, soups, and other dishes but they contain a soluble fiber that can cause bloating. Not only that, some people are really sensitive to some of the other compounds that are in onions. The fiber and compounds in onions is what causes the gas and bloating.
• Dairy –   Most of us get our calcium and protein from dairy products. But many people suffer from lactose intolerance. If you are not able to digest this sugar, you will feel it in your digestive system. Bloating, gas, cramping are just some symptoms of lactose intolerance.
• Garlic – Garlic is another food that contains FODMAPs. Cooking helps to reduce some of the gassy effects of garlic.
• Beer – Beer is another beverage that contains a lot of carbon dioxide. Not only does it have carbon dioxide, but it also has barley, maize, rice, wheat and yeast. All of these contribute to gas. We all have heard of a “beer belly” but that beer belly is not only due to fat but also the bloating that beer can cause.

Colon Health

You have heard the saying, “Better out than in”. Turns out that is good advice. We all know the feeling. You are in a group of people and you don’t want to pass gas in that room. However, did you know that holding in gas too often can irritate your colon? Well, it can. It can also irritate hemorrhoids. So, next time the urge strikes, you might just go ahead and let that one rip and just say excuse me.

Healthy Gut

Those farts can signify that you have a healthy gut. We know that bacteria live in our gut. In fact, many of us supplement with probiotics to keep that bacteria in balance and promote our immunity. The more bacteria you have in your gut, the more gas that is produced. The bacteria that is in your gut breaks down the food in your digestive tract. So that excess gas you have can be a good sign.

The Not So Good

There are times when excess gas and farting can indicate a problem.

Food Allergies and Food Intolerance

When someone has a food allergy or an intolerance to a particular food, the body reacts. This reaction can be in the form of digestive system upsets. The symptoms can be bloating, gas, nausea, and even diarrhea.

If you seem to have a lot of gas after eating certain foods, it may be time to see if you have a food allergy or intolerance. You can go to an allergist who can test you to see if you are allergic to certain foods. You can also try an elimination diet to determine which foods are causing these issues.

Health Conditions

Sometimes all of those farts could indicate a health problem such as

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.(1)
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Also known as Acid Reflux –
  
  A digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining.
  This is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining. Acid reflux and heartburn more than twice a week may indicate GERD.

  Symptoms include burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and worsens when lying down.

  Relief from lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications is usually temporary. Stronger medication may be needed. (2)
• Lactose Intolerance – Lactose intolerance is when your body can’t break down or digest lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine does not make enough of a digestive enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down the lactose in food so your body can absorb it. (3)
• Celiac Disease – Celiac disease is an immune disease in which people can’t eat gluten because it will damage their small intestine. If you have celiac disease and eat foods with gluten, your immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. (4)

Bottom Line

Call it what you want – farting, tooting, pooting, flatulence, passing gas – letting the air escape your body is not only healthy but it is also a normal bodily function. It is part of a normal and healthy digestive system. So next time you feel the urge to pass gas, go ahead and let it fly. If you are in a crowded room, excuse yourself and go outside. Just remember – Better Out Than In!

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