Farting is one of the body’s most common — and necessary — digestive processes. Gas is created as gut bacteria digests the food we eat, or as the result of swallowing air (aerophagia), and releasing it is a normal part of keeping our digestive systems comfortable and balanced. Most people pass gas as many as 23 times a day, but diet, activity levels, and overall gut health, among other factors, can influence how often it happens.
Despite how routine it is, many people feel embarrassed by flatulence; some even try to hold it in. Doing so can lead to the increased abdominal pressure and belly distension of bloating and make digestion feel more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Passing gas can be an effective way to feel better while helping your digestive system function smoothly.
That said, sudden changes in how much or how often you fart, extreme bloating, persistent pain, or gas paired with symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, or blood in the stool are signs to check in with your healthcare provider.
1. Farting May Reduce Bloating
Gas buildup is one of the main causes of that “tight pants” feeling in your abdomen, says Pornchai Leelasinjaroen, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastro Health in Kennewick, Washington.
“Your abdomen is a confined, closed space. When gas builds up, it’s exactly like blowing up a balloon inside a small box. That tight feeling is a literal distension of your … gut,” says Dr. Leelasinjaroen, who goes by Dr. Lee.
That pressure builds in the digestive tract, leading to uncomfortable bloating that often worsens as the day goes on. “Some patients even show me pictures where they look pregnant,” Lee says.
Passing gas allows some of the trapped air to escape, reducing pressure on the intestines and can sometimes offer almost “instant relief,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a gastroenterologist and a spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association based in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she treats people with IBD and other digestive health issues.
As a result, farting can be an immediate way to deflate and debloat.
2. Gas Can Be a Potential Warning Sign
Changes in how flatulent you are can also serve as early clues about what’s happening in your gut, including food intolerances or chronic health issues. “It’s the ‘canary in the coal mine’ telling you that [something] has shifted,” Lee says.
He says you should pay attention to the following phenomena.
Fast transit: If things are moving too fast, you may have symptoms such as gas accompanied by diarrhea. This is often due to malabsorption issues tied to celiac disease, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), or infectious gastroenteritis.
Slow transit: When your intestines move food through your gut too slowly, it leads to constipation. Essentially, waste is sitting in the body longer, causing abdominal discomfort. “This allows for more fermentation and way more gas,” Lee says. In this instance, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), or even undiagnosed diabetes can be the cause.
Diet: Gas can crop up if you overdo it on fiber or fiber supplements, Lee says. Other foods, such as beans, cruciferous vegetables, and fizzy drinks can also increase flatulence.
Dr. Rao says that people with gluten sensitivity or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may notice extra gas and bloating. “Increased gas, bloating, or stronger odors can be the first signs something isn’t quite right,” she says.
Paying attention to these changes can help you identify potential issues. In that sense, farting may be an early warning system. If you’re experiencing a significant change, reach out to your doctor.
3. Flatulence Can Lead to Instant Stress Relief
Trapped gas doesn’t just affect the gut, it can influence how the entire body feels. “When your abdomen feels tight or pressured, it may trigger your body’s stress response and make everything feel worse,” Rao says.
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you can experience unwelcome bloating and gas. “You might have a normal amount, but your brain interprets it as painful or excessive,” Lee says.
Passing wind may sometimes alleviate that feeling of stress, bringing you back to a “rest and digest” state by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system. You may feel your body relax and shift back to a calmer, more settled space, Rao says.
It’s a small reminder that digestive health and stress regulation are closely connected.
4. It Can Be a Sign of Healthy Gut Function
Gas is a natural by-product of gut bacteria breaking down fiber and other nutrients, which means farting is part of normal GI function.
The trillions of bacteria living in the gut thrive on a varied, fiber-rich diet, and fermentation is part of how they function. “Gas is a by-product of your gut bacteria fermenting fiber and nutrients, so it’s often a sign that your microbiome is active and alive, which is a good thing,” Lee says.
Don’t look at flatulence in isolation. Track your bowel movements to get a fuller picture of gut health, Rao says. “Ideally, we want to see regular bowel movements that fall around 3 to 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart, which is a better indicator [than gas] of a healthy microbiome,” she says.
If gas shows up alongside a noticeable change in bowel habits, such as new or persistent diarrhea or constipation, or begins to interfere with daily life, check in with a gastroenterologist to rule out an underlying issue, Lee says.
The Takeaway
Farting is a normal and necessary part of digestion, and most people pass gas multiple times a day, as gas forms when gut bacteria digest food by fermenting it.
Flatulence helps us relieve bloating and the physical discomfort of trapped gas.
Sudden shifts in your body’s production of gas — in frequency, odor, or discomfort levels — can warn of food intolerances, motility issues, or conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
If you have recurring or disruptive symptoms related to passing gas, check in with your healthcare provider.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
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Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.
Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.
She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.
Carmen Chai is a Canadian journalist and award-winning health reporter. Her interests include emerging medical research, exercise, nutrition, mental health, and maternal and pediatric health. She has covered global healthcare issues, including outbreaks of the Ebola and Zika viruses, anti-vaccination movements, and chronic diseases like obesity and Alzheimer’s.
Chai was a national health reporter at Global News in Toronto for 5 years, where she won multiple awards, including the Canadian Medical Association award for health reporting. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, Vancouver Province, and the National Post. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto.
