Though considered embarrassing, farting, a normal and natural occurrence, is a sign your body — specifically your digestive tract — is working as it should. Farting is a benefit of a healthy body. Whenever your body produces gas as part of breaking down and processing food, you end up building your digestive system. You also swallow air when eating, chewing, or swallowing.
Some of it is absorbed naturally, but the remaining gas needs to be released in some way as a fart or a burp. If you didn’t pass gas, you may feel constipated or bloated, uneasy, and pained. Farting is a good sign that you are healthy or you may want to see your doctor. Here are 5 reasons farting is good for you:
1. Farting tells you are eating balanced diets
A balanced diet is healthier for your body, and specifically for your gut, even if it does produce flatulence. A diet that includes lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and grains is considered balanced and healthy. But it will produce gas. Certain types of carbohydrates can’t always be broken down in your digestive tract. Instead, they’ll ferment for a bit in the large intestine before being removed during a bowel movement. That fermentation produces gas through farting.
2. Farting reduces abdominal pains
As you eat, chew, swallow, and process food, gas will collect in your digestive tract. If you produce a lot of gas, it can eventually cause pain and discomfort. But farting eliminates that gas and any pain or pressure with it.
3. Improves colon health
From time to time, you may want to hold in gas to suppress flatulence when you’re in a room with others. But holding in gas too frequently can actually irritate the colon. It may also irritate hemorrhoids. Releasing gas is always healthier than suppressing it. Don’t be afraid to let those farts fly.
4. Farting reduces bloating
Too much gas in your digestive tract can cause bloating, or a feeling of swelling and fullness. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s rarely dangerous. Relieving gas as the urge arises can help reduce bloating and any symptoms along with it.
5. Farts identifies food allergies and intolerances
When you eat a food to which you have an allergy or intolerance, your body will produce symptoms to let you know the digestive tract is upset. These symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and gas. If you routinely experience excess gas after eating certain foods, your body may be trying to tell you the food is upsetting. Talk with a doctor about your symptoms. They may order tests or help you develop an elimination diet to find out which food or foods are causing the excess gas and other symptoms.