Have you ever been embarrassed by the frequency of your fart? If your answer is in the affirmative, then you need not worry because everybody does it, but the degree of occurrence differs from one person to another. While farting is a natural part of the digestion cycle which releases excessive gas from the body, it could also be worrisome if it occurs too often.
However, there are divergent opinions of experts on the appropriate frequency of farting in a healthy human being. While some said 10 times a day is normal, others said 15-20 times a day is still in the normal range in a healthy human being, as it is a reflex action which occurs even in sleep.
According to Dr Beth Mallard, lecturer in physiology at NUI Galway, “From what I’ve found, 10 times a day is normal to fart, but up to twice that can be considered normal, with a big range in the volume as well”.
Nonetheless, if you have observed that you unusually toot and it comes very smelly, there are natural tips you can adopt to reduce the occurrence as well as prevent the bad odour that comes with it, because there are farts that come unnoticed and without smell.
Here is a list of possible remedies as highlighted by Medical News Today for those who feel they have excessive gas:
- Eat meals and snacks slowly and carefully
The majority of gas produced by the body forms because of swallowed air. A person cannot completely avoid swallowing air, but certain habits can cause excess air to enter the body. Eating too quickly is one of them.
Eating slowly with the mouth closed will reduce the amount of air a person swallows at mealtimes. People should try to sit down and take time over food rather than eating on the go.
- Stop chewing gum
Many people chew gum to keep their breath fresh and to help avoid snacking. However, those that do may find they have more gas than others. Chewing gum means continually swallowing air, which builds up and increases the number of times a person needs to fart.
- Avoid or reduce intake of gas-producing foods
Some foods are known to increase gas production. Carbohydrates that contain fructose, lactose, insoluble fiber, and starch ferment in the large intestine. Gas releases as they ferment.
Cutting these foods out entirely, however, is not recommended, as they are an essential part of a healthful, balanced diet.
Fruit and vegetables can often cause gas, but eating several portions of fruit and vegetables a day is more important than eliminating gas. However, reducing the amount of these gas-producing foods may help to minimize a person’s flatulence.
- Give up smoking
People who smoke swallow more air than those who do not. The more frequently a person smokes, the more air they swallow. There are, of course, lots of other health benefits to giving up smoking, too.
People who use e-cigarettes also swallow more air than people who do not, so avoiding e-cigarettes could also help when a person has excess gas.
- Drink plenty of fluids
Staying well-hydrated encourages waste to pass smoothly through a person’s digestive system. This helps keep their stools soft, and so drinking enough through the day is essential.
Also, a lack of fluid may cause constipation, which can result in smelly wind.
People should try to drink a glass of water with every meal to help the body digest foods more easily.
- Avoid carbonated beverages
Carbonated beverages contain air bubbles, and a person who drinks a lot of carbonated beverages may find they burp and fart more than others.
When someone reduces or removes these types of drinks from their diet, it may help cut the amount of gas they have.
- Take probiotics
Probiotics are supplements that contain the healthy bacteria already found in a person’s digestive tract. These good bacteria help to break down food, and can even work to break down the hydrogen gas that is produced during digestion.
Occasionally, probiotics may cause an increase in gas and bloating. This is usually short-lived, and it will probably lessen when the body gets used to the new bacteria.
