Is your digestive system healthy or unhealthy? Your farts can tell you!

Farting or passing gas, is a natural and common bodily process, representing the activity and health of your gut. It is basically a sign that your digestive system is working fine, which particularly happens because of the action of helpful gut bacteria on food digestion.

However, it may also indicate when your gut is not well, according to frequency, odor, and other symptoms associated with the condition.

Gas builds up in the digestive tract, mainly due to swallowed air and breakdowns of undigested food by gut bacteria, especially in the large intestine. A healthy diet high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can often stimulate increased gas production, as fiber is fermented by gut microbes.

The fermentation process generates hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gases that are passed out as flatus. Thus, the frequent passing of gas reflects a healthy and active microbiome digesting food efficiently.

Passing gas helps to decrease the discomfort and pressure brought about by the buildup of gas; thus, it prevents abdominal pain and bloating. It also protects your colon by not allowing irritation that may come when there is gas inside.

Holding farts too often can result in discomfort and even foster hemorrhoids. Experts such as Ryan Fernando says farting 10 to 20 times a day is normal and a sign of good gut health, showing your digestive system is effectively breaking down foods and distributing nutrients.According to Harvard Health, air naturally accumulates in the digestive tract when we swallow or digest food. On average, the human body produces about two liters of intestinal gas every day, and most people pass gas around 14 times daily.

While this may to some seem exessive, it is a normal part of digestion and a sign that the digestive system is functioning properly.

When farting may signal an unhealthy gut

Passing gas is normal, but frequent or very foul-smelling flatulence can signal digestive problems. IBS, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and SIBO are disorders that can cause more gas or different types of gas to be produced.According to research published inPubMed Central,the most common symptoms reported by two-thirds of patients with SIBO (Small intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) are abdominal distension, excessive gas accumulation and flatulence.Apart from this, according to NIH, if people have problems digesting certain carbs, they can also experience gas. Undigested carbohydrates will pass to your large intestine, where bacteria break them down and create gas.Dysbiosis usually occurs when there is an excess of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which includes stomach or intestines, this indicates an imbalance in the gut, thereby leading to gas and excessive farting.Foul-smelling or frequent gas can be related to other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach pain, altered consistency of stool, or mucous presence, and may therefore represent improper functioning of the gut, according to Harvard Health.Dietary factors include the consumption of large amounts of poorly absorbed carbohydrates, carbonated beverages, and/or swallowing air. Stress and medications also may have a part in changed gut motility and gas production, contributing to these symptoms.

Your farts have a lot to say about your digestion. How often you fart, how they smell, or if it is an uncomfortable experience can show you the state of your gut. Generally, flatulence falls within the normal range and doesn't involve pain or extreme changes in digestion; this would confirm a healthy gut environment. In such cases, if gas becomes excessive, painful, or interferes significantly with your life, it is necessary to consult with your healthcare professional to rule out any possible underlying conditions and get proper treatment.A balanced diet, high in fiber but one that is gradually introduced, will support a balanced gut microbiome that produces healthy amounts of gas. Likewise, keeping well-hydrated, minimizing stress, and avoiding foods one knows they are intolerant to also enhance digestive comfort and reduce problematic flatulence.

In short, passing gas is a healthy symptom of your gut microbes and digestive system doing their jobs, adding to good health. But too much gas or extremely foul-smelling gas, accompanied by other symptoms, can mean there is something wrong with your gut that needs attention. Keeping attuned to the signs of your body keeps it running smoothly and aids in preventing some gut disorders. But this very natural process is also proof of the responsiveness of your gut to diet and microbial balance; thus, farting becomes a symptom of health as much as a warning in cases of abnormality.