Who am I even writing those words, “What does a fart say about your gut?”

I’ll tell you who I am.

I’m just A Gutsy Girl who is bringing these topics to the surface out of dire need.

Don’t believe me? 

Google told me that, on average, 10k – 100k people search the term “fart” every single month.

Now, I don’t want you to think this is gross or that I’m not being “lady-like.” Listen, I’m just spewing back the terms people (you and I included) think about and research. 

Also, I’m publishing this post today, on International Women’s Day because what on God’s green Earth does “lady-like” even mean?! If a man can think, write, and say the word “fart” out loud, then surely we can, too.

You hear me?!

But let’s get to the topic at hand today to help you understand more.

What Does a Fart Say About Your Gut

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There are many different sources for how many times the average person farts in a day. I have seen as little as 13 times and as many as 50 times per day. 

Yes, those numbers are all real!

Is a Fart Flatulence?

A fart and flatulence are the same things. 

Flatulence is the medical term. It means, “the accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal.”

In fact, flatulence is the correct term. Here are other terms people use instead of flatulence:

• farting
• fluff
• cutting the cheese
• breaking wind
• gas
• tooting

Whatever you want to call it, though, it’s natural and normal. Well, it can be normal. This is because although nitrogen and oxygen contribute, the majority of intestinal gas comes from fermentation of food by bacteria present in our gut.

What Causes Those Farts?

According to Harvard, “Most cases of flatulence are related to factors that can be controlled. This is because intestinal gas usually comes from two sources — swallowed air or the work of intestinal bacteria on undigested food.”

So with that, here are 4 things farting says about your gut.

1. Diet and/or food intolerance

   If your body is unable to absorb or digest certain foods, those foods could cause gas. Some of these foods/categories include:

   1. raffinose – examples include beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and even raffinose in sweet potatoes
   2. sorbitol – examples include sugar-free gum, medicine additives, and other “sugar-free” items
   3. fiber 
   4. fructose – examples include dates, prunes, pears, grapes, some cookies and cakes
   5. dairy products which contain lactose (milk, cheese, ice cream, etc.)

2. Stress levels

   Of course stress levels and the gut go hand-in-hand. But the reason you might pass more gas while stressed is because it can lead to excessive swallowing of air, oxygen release, and digestion issues. It’s a cycle: stress, action, fart. Rinse and repeat. 

3. PMS

   As if it should get any worse, right? PMS farting is usually caused by fluctuations in hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone.

4. Eating in a hurry

   When you’re in a hurry, you tend to swallow more air, unconsciously. Other reasons for swallowing air include things like chewing gum, slurping through a straw, smoking, and drinking carbonated beverages.

What to Do About Excessive (and embarrassing) Farts

Again, when considering what to do about your own excessive farts, you must know why it’s happening. If you go into the doctor with arm pain, they don’t treat your elbow before understanding that that’s where the pain is coming from, right?

Same with this.

If we assume Harvard is correct in saying that most cases of flatulence usually comes from two sources — swallowed air or the work of intestinal bacteria on undigested food, then it’s easier to start the process.

FODMAPs

In particular, if you have a lot of gas and you know it’s diet and/or food intolerance related, consider paying attention to the amount of FODMAP foods you eat in a day. HERE are more about what FODMAPs are. 

Take a Digestive Enzyme

If you’re not digesting food, maybe you just need some help. If you understand the concept of what a digestive enzyme is and does, trying this makes perfect sense.

Poo-pouri

If you know you’re going to be in a public place and the toots (smelly ones especially) have begun, consider carrying Poo-Pourri along in your purse. 

Stop taking in so much air

In order to do this, you’ll need to do things like ditch the straw. And you should also get yourself much more relaxed prior to meal time. Don’t eat on the run, and attempt to chew each mouthful of food 20-30 times prior to swallowing. 

Heal your gut

Passing gas when it’s noisy but without smell is not nearly as awful as having the silent and foul-smelling toots. If your toots smell like rotten eggs on a daily basis, consider buckling down for some gut healing. In fact, if any of those farts are diet and/or food intolerance related, consider healing your gut.

Sources: HERE, HERE, and HERE.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Digestion and Women
2. Free Master Gutsy Spreadsheet
3. How to Digest Beans

Xox,
SKH