Is Farting Bad For You?
Also Known As: flatulence, pass gas, break wind
Short answer
Farting isn’t bad for you, although a change in the frequency or smell of your farts may indicate that something’s wrong.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Farts are generally good for you. Gas builds up in your body, and passing gas is one way of getting rid of that gas. You swallow air when you chew; you can disgorge this air through burping or through farting. The digestive process in your gut also produces gas; nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane are all natural by-products of the bacteria and archaea which line your intestines and help you to break down food.
Farting is normal. A healthy adult might fart a dozen or eighteen times a day. More fiber in the diet will generally lead to more gas. That's not unhealthy - fiber is a vital part of a healthy digestive system and feeds important bacteria in your gut. Some foods that aren't particularly right in fiber, like beans, may also increase the amount of gas that you pass in a day. That's normal - beans ferment quickly, so you'll get more gas when you eat them.
If you find yourself farting more than usual, however, there's a chance that something could be going wrong with your digestive system. Talk to your doctor if you find yourself farting more than usual. Sometimes, an uptick in flatulence can be temporary - the result of indigestion, often via something that you ate. If it turns into a regular problem, however, you should seek medical attention.
Another red flag might be a change in the smell of your farts; sometimes, problems in the gut can lead to the accumulation of more hydrogen sulfide or methane gas than usual. Those chemicals will give your flatulence a strong rotten egg smell. Excess flatulence can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, food intolerance, or the presence of parasites in the gut.
It’s important that you attend to any changes in your flatulence. Often, it’s a symptom of a temporary or correctable problem. Sometimes, however, the change in flatulence indicates something more serious. If left untreated, certain causes - such as parasites - can cause longer term damage to the intestine and may interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients in the long-term.
While a change in your farts could be an indication that something's wrong, it can also be dangerous not to fart. Your body needs to vent the gasses that build up in the gut. If you can't pass gas, the gut will stretch like a balloon - you feel bloated and could experience pain and discomfort. If you're having trouble passing gas, you should see a doctor immediately.
Causes for concern:
- Change in fart smell
- Change in frequency of farts
- Buildup of gas from not farting
Benefits
- feels good/relieving
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releases trapped air/gasses from the body
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good for your colon health
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indicates healthy gut bacteria
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can act as an early warning system for a problem
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