Are you unhealthy if you fart a lot?

Are you unhealthy if you fart a lot? No. Farting is one of the most normal things your body does and most of the time it means your gut is working the way it should. The average person farts between 14 and 23 times a day according to the Cleveland Clinic, and some research shows up to 25 times a day is still perfectly normal. Most people don’t even notice half their farts because they happen during sleep or without any smell at all.

Farting is just your body getting rid of gas that builds up during digestion. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that break down food, and gas is a natural byproduct of that process. In fact, gastroenterologist Purna Kashyap from the Mayo Clinic has said that farting can actually be a sign your gut microbes are doing their job well.

So before you worry that something is wrong with you, read on. This article breaks down what’s normal, what’s not, and when you should actually talk to a doctor.

How many times a day is it normal to fart?

Most healthy adults fart between 14 and 23 times per day. Harvard Health confirms that every person farts at least 14 times a day, whether they notice it or not. Some researchers say up to 25 times is still within the normal range.

Your body produces between 500 and 2,000 millilitres of intestinal gas every single day. That gas has to go somewhere and it leaves through two exits, either a burp or a fart.

The number varies from person to person based on what you eat, how fast you eat, and what bacteria live in your gut. Someone eating a high fibre diet full of vegetables, beans and whole grains will fart more than someone eating mostly processed food. That extra gas from fibre rich foods is actually a good sign because it means your gut bacteria are being fed and they’re producing short chain fatty acids that keep your intestines healthy.

Does farting a lot mean your gut is healthy?

Yes, regular farting is a sign of a healthy and active digestive system. When you eat foods like beans, lentils, broccoli and whole grains, your gut bacteria ferment the fibre that your small intestine can’t break down. Gas is the natural byproduct of that fermentation.

Research from NPR and the Mayo Clinic showed that when gut bacteria break down fibre, they don’t just produce gas. They also create molecules that boost your immune system, protect the lining of your intestine and help prevent infections. A diverse and active gut microbiome produces more gas, and that diversity has been linked to better overall health and even a slimmer waistline.

Only about 1% of the gas your gut produces actually smells. The rest is made up of odourless gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and sometimes methane. So most of your farts go completely unnoticed.

What foods make you fart the most?

Certain foods produce more gas than others because they contain carbohydrates that are hard for your small intestine to digest. When those carbohydrates reach your large intestine, bacteria ferment them and create gas.

Here are the biggest gas producing foods:

1. Beans and lentils, they contain complex sugars called oligosaccharides that your body can’t fully break down
2. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
3. Dairy products like milk, cheese and ice cream, especially if you have any level of lactose intolerance
4. Onions and garlic which are high in fructans
5. Whole grains and high fibre cereals
6. Carbonated drinks like soft drinks and beer which fill your gut with extra air
7. Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, erythritol and xylitol found in sugar free gum, diet drinks and protein bars
8. Apples, pears, peaches and stone fruits

These foods are called high FODMAP foods. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. They are types of carbohydrates that ferment quickly in your gut and produce gas.

The important thing to remember is that most of these foods are good for you. You don’t want to cut them out completely because your gut bacteria need fibre to stay healthy. If gas is a problem, try reducing the amount rather than eliminating them.

When should you worry about farting too much?

Farting only becomes a concern when it comes with other symptoms. If you’re farting more than 25 times a day and you also have belly pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea or blood in your stool, talk to your doctor.

Here are some conditions that can cause excessive or uncomfortable gas:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to 15% of the global population. Research published in the journal Gut found that people with IBS don’t necessarily produce more gas than healthy people, but their gut is more sensitive to normal amounts of gas. This increased sensitivity is called visceral hypersensitivity and it makes normal gas feel painful and uncomfortable.
   
2. Lactose intolerance affects about 65% of people worldwide according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. When your body doesn’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase, the lactose in dairy products ferments in your gut and creates excess gas and bloating.
   
3. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where your body reacts to gluten. Undigested gluten ferments in the gut and produces excess gas along with other digestive symptoms.
   
4. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) happens when too many bacteria grow in your small intestine. These bacteria ferment food too early in the digestive process and produce excess hydrogen and methane gas.
   
5. Food intolerances beyond dairy, some people react to fructose, eggs, gluten or certain artificial sweeteners.
   

If your gas has suddenly changed in frequency, smell or volume and it’s bothering you, that’s worth checking out. A simple visit to your GP can rule out any of these conditions.

Why do some farts smell worse than others?

The smell comes down to one thing, sulphur. When your gut bacteria break down sulphur rich foods, they produce hydrogen sulphide gas. That’s the rotten egg smell.

Foods high in sulphur include eggs, meat, garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli and beer. The more of these you eat, the smellier your gas will be.

Here’s what’s interesting though. A 2023 study from the University of Vienna found that the gut bacteria that produce hydrogen sulphide, a microbe called Taurinivorans muris, actually has a protective role against harmful pathogens like Salmonella and Klebsiella. So a smelly fart every now and then might mean your gut bacteria are doing something useful.

That said, if your farts consistently smell terrible and this is a new change for you, it could point to a bacterial imbalance in your gut or a food intolerance worth investigating.

Does holding in farts cause any problems?

Holding in a fart won’t cause any serious medical issues, but it can make you uncomfortable. When you don’t release gas, it can build up and cause bloating, abdominal pain and that heavy feeling in your stomach.

The gas doesn’t just disappear. If you hold it in, some of it may get reabsorbed into your bloodstream and eventually leave through your lungs when you breathe. Some of it will just wait and come out later, often as a louder or larger fart.

The better approach is to let it go when you can. If you’re worried about smell or timing, moving your body helps. Exercise and physical activity speed up the movement of gas through your intestines and can reduce bloating. Even a short 10 minute walk after eating can make a big difference.

How can you reduce excessive farting?

If you want to cut down on gas, there are simple changes that work:

1. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Eating too fast means you swallow more air and that air has to come out somewhere.
2. Cut back on carbonated drinks. The bubbles in fizzy drinks add extra gas directly into your gut.
3. Reduce high FODMAP foods one at a time to figure out which ones bother you most. Don’t cut them all at once because your gut bacteria need variety.
4. If dairy is a trigger, try lactose free milk or take a lactase supplement before eating dairy products.
5. Move your body. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days to keep your digestive system moving and reduce trapped gas.
6. Drink more water. Staying hydrated helps food move through your digestive system faster, which means less time for bacteria to produce gas.
7. Try a probiotic. Multiple studies show that certain probiotic strains can reduce bloating and flatulence by supporting a healthier balance of gut bacteria.
8. If you’re increasing fibre in your diet, do it slowly. A sudden jump in fibre intake is one of the most common causes of excess gas. Add one extra serving per day and give your gut a week or two to adjust.

Over the counter products containing simethicone can also help break up gas bubbles in your gut. Digestive enzyme supplements like Beano contain alpha-galactosidase which helps break down the sugars in beans and vegetables before they reach your large intestine.

Does farting change as you get older?

Yes. Most people fart more as they age and there are a few reasons for this. Your metabolism slows down as you get older, which means food sits in your digestive system longer and gives bacteria more time to produce gas.

Your stomach also produces less acid as you age, making it harder to fully digest food. On top of that, the muscles in your digestive tract weaken over time and slow down the movement of food and gas through your intestines.

Medications can play a role too. Many common medications prescribed to older adults, including anti-inflammatory drugs, some blood pressure medications and certain antibiotics, can increase gas production or slow digestion.

If you’re over 50 and noticing more gas, try staying active, drinking enough water and paying attention to which foods trigger the most gas. These simple steps can make a noticeable difference.

FAQ

Is it normal to fart 20 times a day? Yes. Research shows the normal range is 14 to 25 farts per day. Twenty times a day sits right in the middle of that range and is completely healthy.

Can farting be a sign of a serious health problem? On its own, farting is rarely a sign of anything serious. It becomes a concern when combined with symptoms like persistent belly pain, diarrhoea, constipation, unexplained weight loss or blood in your stool.

Why do I fart more at night? Your body relaxes when you sleep, including the muscles around your anus. This makes it easier for trapped gas to escape. You also stop moving around, which means gas that built up during the day finally gets released.

Does stress make you fart more? Yes. Stress and anxiety can make you swallow more air throughout the day. Stress also affects gut motility, the speed at which food moves through your digestive system, and can worsen symptoms in people with IBS.

Are protein shakes making me gassy? Possibly. Many protein supplements are made from whey or casein, both of which come from milk. If you have any level of lactose sensitivity, these can produce extra gas. Try switching to a plant based protein powder and see if it helps.

Should I take probiotics for gas? Probiotics can help some people. Studies show that certain strains reduce bloating and gas by supporting a healthier mix of gut bacteria. They’re not a guaranteed fix for everyone, but they’re safe to try. Look for products with well researched strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. A quality probiotic supplement in Australia costs between $25 and $60 AUD per month.

Is it bad to hold in a fart? Not dangerous, but not ideal. Holding gas in can cause bloating, discomfort and abdominal pain. The gas will eventually come out on its own anyway.

What does it mean if my farts suddenly smell much worse? A sudden change in smell often comes from a change in diet, especially eating more sulphur rich foods like eggs, garlic or cruciferous vegetables. If the change happens without any diet changes, it could signal a bacterial imbalance or food intolerance worth discussing with your doctor.

Understanding digestive health is just one piece of your overall wellness puzzle. If you’re experiencing persistent bloating or digestive concerns alongside your fitness journey, exploring natural remedies like hot water for bloating might offer some relief. For comprehensive guidance on optimizing both your digestive health and fitness goals, consider working with a personal trainer in Armadale who can help you develop a holistic approach to wellness that addresses nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle factors.