We fart on average fourteen times a day, but there are a few reasons why the ‘quality’ and quantity can change for the worst – and why they can smell so bad
Whether you find farting funny, disgusting or like to pretend you never do it, it’s a bodily function we all perform. Also known as passing wind among other, less polite names, on average we produce half a litre of fart gas a day.
If everything is ticking along nicely, this fart gas is spread out over fifteen daily farts. But admit it, there are times when it seems as if you are exceeding this daily average. Why is this? Dr Patricia Raymond, a physician and a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology spoke to Refinery29 and explained why some days are gassier than others.
Everyone farts, with the average being between 5 to 15 times a day according to the NHS. As for why we fart, it’s a physiological necessity. We need release all that intestinal gas which builds up as a result of digesting food.
This gas can be found throughout the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Gas is also automatically accumulated as a result of swallowing air when we chew or talk. The build-up can also be caused by accumulating bacteria in our gut and carbohydrates which haven’t been digested properly.