Farts, also known as flatulence, are something we all experience, yet they remain a bit of a mystery for many of us. Whether you find them hilarious or embarrassing, they are a natural bodily function that actually serves an important purpose. While we may not always talk about it, farting is part of how our digestive system works.
In fact, there are many surprising and unusual facts about farts that most people have never even thought about. From their speed to the strange role they played in history, farts are more fascinating than we give them credit for. So, let’s explore 17 facts about farts that you probably didn’t know!
1. The Average Person Farts 14 Times a Day
You may not notice it, but on average, a person farts around 14 times a day. This might sound like a lot, but it’s perfectly normal. These little bursts of gas are the result of air swallowed during eating and digestion. It’s a sign that your digestive system is doing its job and breaking down food properly.
Not everyone farts the same amount, though. Some people pass gas more frequently, while others may do it less often. The amount of gas can also be influenced by your diet and even how you eat. For example, talking while eating or drinking carbonated beverages can lead to more swallowed air, which results in more farts.
2. Farts Are Made of Five Main Gases
Did you know that farts are actually made up of a combination of gases? They’re primarily composed of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen. The exact proportions of these gases can vary depending on what you’ve eaten, but these five are the main players in flatulence.
Out of all these gases, methane and hydrogen are flammable, which is why farts can actually be set on fire (though we don’t recommend trying this). The other gases, like carbon dioxide and nitrogen, are more neutral and don’t contribute to any odor or flammability.
3. Farts Can Travel at 10 Feet Per Second
It might be hard to believe, but when you fart, the gas can travel out of your body at around 10 feet per second, or roughly 7 miles per hour. That’s quite fast! However, the speed usually goes unnoticed because farts tend to disperse quickly in the air.
While the gas moves fast, its volume is relatively small, which is why you don’t feel a gust of wind. But the speed does help explain why farts can sometimes be detected by others almost immediately after being released!
4. Some Foods Make You Fart More
Certain foods are notorious for causing more gas than others. Foods like beans, broccoli, cabbage, and lentils are packed with fibers that are difficult to break down during digestion. When your body struggles to digest these fibers, it produces more gas as a result.
Sugary foods, especially those containing artificial sweeteners like sorbitol or xylitol, can also increase the amount of gas in your intestines. These sugars are fermented by bacteria in your gut, leading to the production of extra gas—and more farts.
5. Holding in Farts Isn’t Good for You
We’ve all been in a situation where we felt the need to hold in a fart, especially in public or during a meeting. But did you know that holding in farts isn’t actually good for your body? When you resist passing gas, the gas has nowhere to go and starts to build up in your intestines.
This can lead to discomfort, bloating, and even abdominal pain. In extreme cases, the trapped gas may get reabsorbed into your bloodstream and eventually be exhaled through your breath. While this might sound better than farting, it’s still not the healthiest option. It’s better to find a discreet moment and let it out.
6. Women Fart Just as Much as Men
There’s a common myth that men fart more than women, but this simply isn’t true. On average, women fart just as often as men do. The difference may be in how open people are about their flatulence, as some women may feel more embarrassed or shy about it.
However, the biology behind farting is the same for everyone. The digestive system works the same way regardless of gender, so both men and women produce and pass gas in similar amounts.
7. Smelly Farts Are a Result of Sulfur
The smell of a fart comes from tiny amounts of sulfur in the gas. Foods that are high in sulfur, like eggs, meat, and cauliflower, can make your farts particularly stinky. The sulfur is released during digestion and gives gas that distinct, sometimes unpleasant, odor.
Not all farts smell bad, though. The majority of gas released from the body is odorless. It’s only when sulfur is involved that farts take on their infamous scent. So, if your farts are especially smelly after a meal, it could be because you ate something rich in sulfur.
8. You Can’t Fart in Space
In space, things work a little differently than on Earth, and farting is no exception. Without gravity, gas doesn’t separate from liquids and solids in the digestive system the same way. This can lead to discomfort for astronauts because the gas remains trapped in the stomach and intestines.
To avoid this, astronauts follow strict diets to minimize gas production. Even though it’s still possible to fart in space, it’s not something astronauts want to experience often due to the lack of gravity and confined living spaces.
9. Farts Are Good for Your Health
Believe it or not, farting is a good sign that your body is functioning properly. It means that your digestive system is doing its job by breaking down food and expelling waste gases. Passing gas is a natural process that helps relieve pressure in the intestines and stomach.
If you’re farting regularly, it’s generally a sign that you have a healthy digestive system. However, if you notice excessive gas or discomfort, it may be worth looking into whether certain foods are causing digestive issues.
10. Animals Fart Too
Humans aren’t the only creatures that pass gas—most animals fart too! Cows, in particular, are known for producing large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In fact, the farts and burps of livestock are a significant contributor to global methane emissions.
Even smaller animals, like dogs, cats, and birds, experience flatulence. It’s just another reminder that farting is a normal part of digestion across many species.
11. Termites Fart the Most
When it comes to the biggest producers of gas in the animal kingdom, termites take the top spot. These tiny insects are responsible for an incredible amount of methane due to the way they digest wood. Their digestive system relies on special microbes that break down the tough fibers in wood, producing methane in the process.
This means that despite their small size, termites contribute significantly to global methane emissions, even more so than cows!
12. Farts Were Once Used as a Weapon
During World War II, the British government reportedly considered using a “stink bomb” filled with sulfur gas to confuse and disorient enemy soldiers. The idea was that the overwhelming smell would incapacitate the opposition without causing any real harm.
While this may sound like something out of a comedy movie, the plan never really took off. It turns out there were more effective and less odorous ways to fight battles, so the fart weapon remained a strange footnote in history.
13. The Word “Fart” Is Over 1,000 Years Old
The word “fart” has a long history. It has been used in the English language for over 1,000 years, originating from the Old English word “feortan,” which means “to break wind.” Despite its ancient roots, it has remained one of the most common and enduring terms for this bodily function.
Interestingly, many other cultures have their own unique words for farting, and while the term might be funny, it’s one of the most universal human experiences.
14. You Can Tell the Difference Between Your Own Farts and Others’
It might seem strange, but studies have shown that people can recognize the smell of their own farts. Not only that, but people often find their own farts less offensive than those of others. This could be because we’re more familiar with our own body odors, making them less shocking to our senses.
While this might not be something you want to test in a crowded room, it does highlight how our perception of smell can be influenced by familiarity.
15. Farting Can Be a Sign of Food Intolerance
If you notice that you’re farting more than usual, it could be a sign that your body is having trouble digesting certain foods. Common food intolerances, like lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, can cause excessive gas and bloating as your body struggles to break down these ingredients.
If you suspect that a particular food is causing you digestive distress, it might be worth eliminating it from your diet and seeing if the gas decreases. Consulting with a doctor can also help identify any underlying intolerances.
16. Some People Are Afraid of Farting
There is actually a phobia related to farting in public, known as flatulophobia. People with this fear are often extremely anxious about the possibility of passing gas around others and may go to great lengths to avoid it. This can lead to discomfort and even social anxiety in extreme cases.
For most people, passing gas in public can be mildly embarrassing, but for those with flatulophobia, the fear can significantly impact their daily lives. Treatment usually involves therapy to help manage the anxiety.
17. Silent Farts Are Often the Smelliest
You may have heard the phrase “silent but deadly” in relation to farts, and there’s actually some truth to it. Silent farts tend to release more concentrated sulfur gases, which are responsible for the smell. While louder farts disperse the gas more quickly, silent ones linger longer and often pack a bigger odor punch.
So, the next time you hear—or don’t hear—a fart, remember that silence doesn’t always mean it’s harmless!
Farts are a natural part of life, and while they may seem funny or embarrassing, they’re an important part of how our bodies function. From health benefits to surprising facts about animals, there’s much more to flatulence than meets the eye. So, the next time you let one slip, just remember—you’re in good company, and it’s all perfectly normal!