The foods most likely to make your farts smell – and when passing wind is a sign of something more serious
WE all know someone who can clear a room with one tiny fart.
Some might be proud of their efforts - yes, we are looking at boys - others feel awkward and embarrassed while trying to pin it on the dog.
Popping off is a perfectly natural way for your body to pass excess gas produced during the day - in other words, you can't stop it.
And it happens between five and 15 times a day.
Not all farts smell, in fact some of them have no odour at all and don't even make a noise when they pass.
So what makes them smell so awful?
It all comes down to what you eat and the gases it makes your body produce - and what you've heard about baked beans isn't wrong.
Foods that make your farts stink
Undigested carbs are the most common reason passing wind smells so bad.
Your stomach struggles to break down certain foods as they move through the bowel.
Sugars like fructose and sorbitol, found in some fruits and artificial sweeteners are one of the main culprits.
Other fart-inducing fiends include soluble fibre found in beans, nuts and fruit; insoluble fibre found in root vegetables and wheat bran; and starches found in corn, wheat and potatoes.
Foods that make one person gassy don't necessarily make another person fart, according to the
Here's what could be causing you to pop off.
1. Beans
Beans and other foods like asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage contain raffinose.
Humans lack the ability to digest raffinose, so when our gut tries to it creates excess gas.
2. Beer
Beer is high in sulphur - a chemical that naturally has quite a pungent smell.
Mix that in your stomach and, well, you can guess the rest.
Other foods that are high in sulphur include broccoli, garlic, onions, cauliflower and wine (sorry ladies).
3. Processed foods
Not so much a specific food as more of a food group, but it does make you gassy.
Processed foods are often high in sugar alcohol, which create gas because the body can't digest them properly.
When is farting a sign of something serious?
There's no point hiding it, we all fart.
But there are times when fluffing goes beyond the expected amount and could be a sign of something serious.
1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS can be agonising, causing frequent tummy discomfort, bloating, constipation as well as bouts of diarrhoea.
Another symptom of IBS is frequent gas.
IBS can also lead to other complications such as a lack of energy, feeling sick or nauseous, pain during sex and social anxiety and depression.
So if you think you might have the condition speak to a GP.
2. Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer or colorectal cancer, is the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK, after breast, prostate and lung cancers.
The key red flag signs for the disease include blood in your poo, tummy pain, bloating and a change in bowel movements.
A side effect your bowel movements changing can be gas, so if you are farting a lot and notice other symptoms speak to a GP.
The Sun has launched its No Time 2 Lose campaign urging to get you all talking about your insides and your number 2s, in a bid to beat the disease.
WE'RE FIGHTING FOR FAIR SCREENING FOR ALL BRITS
Our No Time 2 Lose campaign is calling for
- the Government to lower the screening age from 60 to 50 - as it is in Scotland
- every Brit to know the five red-flag signs of bowel cancer
And we want you to dig deep and help raise money for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer - who work tirelessly to beat this disease. Donate .
3. Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune digestive condition where the intestines react to gluten and become inflamed.
The adverse reaction can come from the dietary protein which is often found in three cereals: wheat, barley and rye.
The gluten damages the lining of the intestines making the body unable to absorb important nutrients.
Coeliac disease is a life-long condition that can lead to bloating, nausea, excess gas and tiredness, and is only treated by a change in diet.
MORE ON NO TIME 2 LOSE
4. Lactose intolerance
Some people lack an enzyme that allows them to digest lactose found in dairy products.
For these people, drinking milk or eating something like cheese can cause severe tummy upset, diarrhoea, bloating and gas.
If you frequently experience these symptoms after eating dairy you should speak to a GP.
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