Smelly farts
Ah, the universal sound of bodily functions. Farts can creep up anytime, whether it’s during a job interview or a first date, a sudden fart can ruin just about any situation. But if the fart is smelly it can cause even more damage to you as well as the people near you.
But fear not, you’re not alone in your struggles with flatulence. According to some studies an average person farts between 10 and 20 times per day! Now that’s a lot of gas.
Understanding the basics
When we eat food, it travels through our digestive tract and is broken down by various enzymes. During the process of digestion gases like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide are produced within our stomach and move toward the intestines. Once these gases buildup in our stomach they will need to be released from the body, this process in which these gases leaves our body is called a fart. When we pass gas, we’re essentially releasing those gases from our bodies.
But why do farts smell so bad? That’s because of another gas called sulfur. When it mixes with the other gases in our intestines, it creates a pungent odor that can clear a room in seconds. There are things you can do to minimize the smell of your farts. Which we will discuss later in this article.
Fun Fact:Â Did you know there is a national fart day? Find out more in this article!
The role of bacteria and chemical compounds
You see when we eat certain foods, they’re broken down by enzymes in our digestive system. This process produces gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, as we learned in our last article. But it’s the bacteria in our gut that take things to the next level.
The bacteria in our intestines thrive on certain types of food, like beans and dairy products. When they break down these foods, they produce even more gases, including sulfur compounds. And it’s those sulfur compounds that give farts their distinct odor.
The bacteria in our gut also produce other chemical compounds that can contribute to the smell of our farts. For example, some of these compounds are similar to those found in skunk spray. So yeah, our farts can smell like skunk spray.
All this might make you wonder, how do babies fart? This article of ours aims to answer that question and much more!
Causes of excessively smelly flatulence
If you’re someone who suffers from excessively smelly farts, you know just how embarrassing and unpleasant it can be. But fear not, my farting friends. There are reasons why some farts are smellier than others, and it all comes down to your dietary habits and digestive issues.
- Foods like beans, broccoli, and dairy products can all contribute to the stink factor. And if you’re someone who loves to indulge in spicy foods or alcohol, well, you might be in for a particularly pungent treat.
- But it’s not just what you eat that can contribute to smelly farts. If you like to eat your food quickly and you might not chew it properly you can swallow a lot of air with it. That air has to go somewhere, and it can come out in the form of a particularly loud and smelly fart.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS can also cause smelly farts because this disease can cause an overgrowth in bacteria within your stomach which increases the smell of the fart. If you ever get diagnosed with this disease you must consult to a doctor and get help immediately, because the excessive growth of bacteria can lead to other health issues.
If you are suffering from smelly farts, you can try to change your diet and identify which food makes your farts smelly. But if changing your diet does not help you, you should go to a doctor and get help. You can also try eating smaller, more frequent meals and taking the time to chew your food thoroughly.
Remedies for stinky farts
We have understood what makes our farts so smelly, we can start looking into things that can help us reduce the smell of the farts. Also, there are remedies for stinky farts, and they don’t involve holding your breath or running for cover.
- lifestyle changes: If you’re prone to smelly farts, there are a few things you can do to minimize the odor. For starters, try to get some exercise. Exercise helps to stimulate digestion and can help to move things along more efficiently, reducing the amount of time that gas has to build up in your gut.
- Dietary changes: Eating foods that are high in fiber can help to keep your digestive system running smoothly, which can reduce the likelihood of smelly farts. And if you’re someone who loves your morning cup of coffee, try switching to tea. Coffee can be a major trigger for smelly farts, whereas tea is generally gentler on the digestive system.
- Probiotics: One of the most effective home remedies for stinky farts is probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that can help to restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut, which can reduce the production of smelly gases.
- Essential Oils: You can also try using essential oils to mask the odor of your farts. Peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil are both great options, as they have a fresh, minty scent that can help to cover up the stink.
By making some simple lifestyle changes and trying some home remedies like probiotics and essential oils, you can reduce the odor of your farts and keep your friends and family from running for the hills. And hey, if all else fails, just embrace your smelly side and make it your signature scent.
On a separate note, find out how many times does an average person farts in this article of ours!Â
