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Why some farts smell so bad - and how to stop producing them

Health

 

But aside from the playground rhymes about 'tooting', nobody ever talks about other bad gas habits.

If you silently pass wind and think you've got away with it - only to be greeted by a foul stench - you might wonder where you're going wrong.

Apparently healthier eating will actually lead to more gas, so it's not good news if you're on a diet.

Dr Myron Brand, a gastroenterologist, spoke to Thrillist about what makes our gas smell - and how you can stop the whiff.

You can't help it when nature calls

He said: "Smelly odour is not bad, it's just a function of what you're eating and what your bacteria is doing inside your gastrointestinal tract. Everyone is different."

Is it normal?

The average healthy person farts 10-20 times a day, so it's totally normal.

Wind is produced when food (mainly carbohydrates) isn't properly absorbed into your intestines and is left to ferment in gut bacteria.

As Dr Brand explains: "Foul smell just means the carbohydrates you consume are being malabsorbed - it's fermented."

How can you produce less foul-smelling gas?

Dr Brand recommends opting for a high-protein diet if you want to pass less wind.

Some people follow a low-FODMAP carbohydrate diet (FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols - types of carbs which aren't completely absorbed and start to ferment, causing gas).

Fitness and nutrition scientist Cassandra Forsythe has compiled a list of high-FODMAP foods to avoid if you want to produce less gas.

These include apple, pear, watermelon, cabbage, asparagus, leeks, onions, garlic, avocado, mushrooms and cauliflower.

Broccoli isn't bad for some people Surprisingly, broccoli is listed as a 'suitable' vegetable - although she does say it's not suitable for everyone.

She also notes that bread, pasta, noodles, breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuit and pastry are "problem" wheat and rye products, recommending rice, corn, potato and quinoa instead.

It's also best to limit your alcohol intake and drink more water.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have excessive amounts of wind and foul-smelling gas, it might be best consult a professional as this is a sign you're not digesting carbohydrates and have malabsorption.

So if you want to pass wind less, eat fewer carb-heavy foods and increase your protein intake.

But rest assured that it's a totally natural thing and we should stop being embarrassed by it.

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