And he’s right, but farting is normal – the average person does it 5-15 times a day.
In fact, having a lot of gas on a particular day might be a sign of good health, smells aside….
That’s because the foods that create farts tend to be heart-healthy, fibre-packed complex carbs, which your body can’t break down but the bacteria in your gut can. So which foods make you fart, which make your farts smelly, and when should you consult your doctor?
Food most likely to cause smelly farts:
- Fatty foods
- Beans
- Eggs
- Onions and garlic
- Dairy
- Wheat and whole grains
- Cauliflower and some brassicas
- Some high fructose fruits such as apples
Can you stop farting?
Fruit, vegetables and pulses can cause gas, but eating several portions of these a day is much more important than eliminating wind. If you don’t already eat fibrous foods, increasing the amount you eat too quickly might make you uncomfortable.
Add fibre slowly into your diet.
Staying hydrated reduces the risk of constipation, which can cause excess gas. If a poo remains in your gut, it will continue to ferment, producing extra gas that can smell particularly foul.
Fizzy drinks contain gas, and if you drink a lot of them you’ll probably burp and fart a lot.
The same with chewing gum.
In most cases, farting is not a cause for concern. Many benign causes of farts do not require evaluation or treatment. In some cases, excessive farting may be a sign of a more severe underlying condition, so if you are concerned consult a doctor.
Smelly wind can also be a side-effect of some medicines.
Just make sure you never fart in a lift…