Flatulence (a.k.a. Farting): The Gassy Truth About a Universal Human Talent
Yes, it’s true—we all do it.
Whether you call it farting, passing gas, cutting the cheese, breaking wind, stepping on a duck, or letting one rip, flatulence is as human as laughing at someone else doing it. But how much is normal—and when should you be concerned that your rear trumpet is a sign of something more serious?
Let’s clear the air, so to speak.
Where Does Gas Come From?
Flatulence usually comes from one of two sources—air you swallow, or food that doesn’t fully break down before it hits your large intestine. Let’s take a closer (but not too close) look:
1. Swallowed Air
Anytime you eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or suck on hard candy, you also swallow air. If you eat fast, you’ll suck in even more. Most of that air is burped out (we’ll save that glamorous topic for another day), but some sneaks its way down through your digestive system and exits stage left—well, actually, south.
2. Digestive Gas Production
The biggest gas generator? Undigested carbohydrates—specifically sugars, starches, and fiber. When these carb-rich foods reach your large intestine without being fully digested, your gut bacteria have a field day breaking them down. That party produces gas. And gas… well, you know the rest.
Fart Fuel: Which Foods Bring the Thunder?
Certain foods are notorious for fueling the gas factory. Unfortunately, they’re also really healthy. Life’s not fair.
Common Gas-Producing Foods:
Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts (aka fart grenades), cabbage, corn, potatoes
Fruits: Apples, peaches, pears
Legumes: Beans (the musical fruit, remember?)
Grains: Wheat products like bread, pasta, and cereal
Drinks: Carbonated beverages like soda, sparkling water, and beer
These foods contain high amounts of fermentable carbs and fiber, which your gut bacteria love more than kids love whoopee cushions.
How Much Farting Is Normal?
According to real-deal research (yes, this has been studied—thank you, science), the average person produces about 4 pints of gas a day, releasing it about 14 times per day. That’s right—you could win a gold medal for flatulence and still be within the healthy range.
When Farting Might Mean Trouble:
If you’re blowing past 23 farts per day, especially if it’s paired with bloating or abdominal pain, it may be more than just a side effect of Taco Tuesday.
Potential Conditions That Cause Excessive Gas:
GERD or acid reflux
Peptic ulcers
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Lactose intolerance
Crohn’s disease
History of abdominal surgery
If you’re crop-dusting your coworkers non-stop and it’s not just your diet, it might be time to call a doctor (preferably one who still makes eye contact with you after the consultation).
How to Reduce Gas (Without Giving Up Beans Forever)
If your gas is driving away friends, family, or pets, here are a few ways to ease the breeze:
Pro Tips to Cut the Cheese… Less:
Slow down while eating – Chew well and don’t gulp. Less air in = less air out.
Avoid gum, candy, and smoking – These habits bring in unnecessary air.
Identify trigger foods – Keep a gas diary. Yes, seriously.
Watch fiber and dairy – High fiber and lactose can be troublemakers.
Use digestive aids – Products like Beano, Lactaid, Gas-X, and Mylanta can help.
Get moving – Cardio and core-strengthening exercises improve digestion and reduce bloating.
And now for the curveball… chiropractic care. While we can’t promise miracles, proper spinal alignment may help digestion. At New Life Chiropractic, we’ve heard (ahem) whispers that our treatments may help reduce gas symptoms.
Can Chiropractic Really Help with Gas?
OK, full disclosure: we don’t treat farting. We don’t want to treat farting. But spinal misalignments can affect the nervous system and—indirectly—your gut health. So while we’re not handing out Beano, don’t count chiropractic out completely. Just don’t come in expecting us to measure your methane levels.
Final Thoughts: Let It Go (Within Reason)
We laugh at it, we blame the dog, we roll down the windows—flatulence is one of life’s great equalizers. But while it’s usually harmless (and hilarious), persistent, painful, or excessive gas can signal deeper digestive issues worth addressing.
With some dietary tweaks, exercise, and maybe a visit to New Life Chiropractic in Virginia Beach, you can get your system back in balance—and back to a healthy, socially acceptable 14 farts per day.
Need help feeling your best from head to tailbone?
Contact Dr. Mike Geheren at New Life Chiropractic today!