Farting (flatulence) is a normal bodily function that happens when the digestive system needs to release gas. But if you’re experiencing excessive gas, you might be wondering what’s causing it and how to reduce it.

This evidence-based article explores what scientific research tells us about excessive farting: its causes, what it might mean for your health, and proven ways to reduce it.

What Causes Excessive Farting?

Several factors can contribute to excess gas in your digestive system:

Certain Foods and Dietary Components

Many foods contain components that are difficult for your body to digest completely. When these reach the large intestine, gut bacteria break them down (ferment them), producing gas as a byproduct. This fermentation process can also sometimes result in smelly gas, depending on the foods consumed.

Research shows that a high FODMAP diet (foods containing certain types of carbohydrates that can be hard to digest) significantly increases gas production and digestive symptoms, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Even healthy individuals mainly report increased farting on high FODMAP diets (1).

Specific foods and ingredients often associated with increased gas include:

  • Inulin-type fructans (found in chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, and added to some foods) can lead to mild increases in digestive symptoms, including farting, particularly at higher doses (2).
  • Artificial sweeteners like isomalt can significantly increase digestive responses, including farting, in both children and adults (3).
  • Whole grains: Farting was more frequent after eating whole-grain wheat and whole-grain rye compared to refined wheat (4).
  • Dairy products: People receiving tube feedings experienced increased farting when consuming a lactose-containing diet compared to a lactose-free diet, suggesting lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting milk sugar) can contribute to gas production (5).
Tip
Keep a food diary to identify which foods trigger excessive gas for you personally. Everyone’s digestive system responds differently to various foods. Track what you eat and when you experience increased farting to identify your triggers.

Eating Habits

How you eat can also contribute to excessive farting:

  • Eating too quickly can cause you to swallow air, increasing gas in your digestive system
  • Not chewing food properly can lead to more gas production during digestion
  • Drinking through straws or drinking carbonated beverages can increase the amount of air you swallow

Research looking at meal composition shows that fats and protein components significantly delay intestinal gas clearance (how quickly gas moves through your intestines), highlighting the small intestine’s role in gas retention after meals (6).

Digestive Conditions

Certain digestive conditions can increase farting:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): People with IBS commonly experience excessive gas and bloating. A study found that a combination of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) reduced farting and rumbling (stomach noises), and other symptoms in people with IBS by 42% compared to a 6% reduction in those taking a placebo. (7).
  • Intestinal gas retention: Some people have difficulty clearing gas from their intestines. Research shows that stimulating intestinal movement significantly improves gas transit and reduces abdominal symptoms in these people (8).
  • Cystic fibrosis: Farting was reported in 43.5% of people with cystic fibrosis (a genetic condition affecting the lungs and digestive system), highlighting its prevalence as a digestive symptom in this condition (9).
Note
While excessive farting can be a symptom of various digestive conditions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a serious problem. Many cases of excessive gas can be managed with simple lifestyle changes. However, if your symptoms persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider.

Medications and Supplements

Some medications and supplements can increase farting as a side effect:

  • Diabetes medications: The use of acarbose in people with type 2 diabetes was associated with a significantly higher frequency of farting compared to placebo (5% vs 0.5%) (10). Similarly, people receiving miglitol with insulin therapy experienced significantly more abdominal distension (bloating) and farting compared to those on placebo (11).
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs: People taking diclofenac combined with misoprostol experienced higher rates of farting compared to those taking diclofenac alone (12).
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: The occurrence of digestive side effects including farting was significantly higher in children taking omega-3 fatty acids (41.2%) compared to those on a placebo (6.2%) (13).

How to Reduce Excessive Farting

If you’re experiencing problematic farting, research suggests several effective approaches:

Dietary Modifications

Changing your diet is often the first step in managing excessive farting:

  • Try a low FODMAP diet: Following a low FODMAP diet (reducing foods with certain hard-to-digest carbohydrates) significantly reduces farting in people with gas-related symptoms compared to a high FODMAP diet (14).
  • Reduce starch and sugar: A diet lower in starch and sugar significantly decreased bloating and farting symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (15).
  • Consider dairy intake: If you notice increased gas after consuming dairy products, you might have lactose intolerance. Research shows that people experienced increased farting when consuming a diet containing lactose (milk sugar) compared to a lactose-free diet (5).
Tip
When changing your diet to reduce farting, make changes gradually. Sudden dietary changes can sometimes temporarily increase gas production while your digestive system adjusts. Start by eliminating one food group at a time and monitor your symptoms for a few days before making additional changes.

Supplements and Medications

Several supplements and medications have been shown to help reduce excessive farting:

  • Alpha-galactosidase: This enzyme (commonly sold as Beano) significantly reduced farting in children compared to placebo (16). Alpha-galactosidase helps break down complex carbohydrates that might otherwise cause gas.
  • Rifaximin: This non-absorbable antibiotic (that stays in your gut rather than entering your bloodstream) significantly reduces hydrogen production and the number of farting episodes in people with gas-related symptoms (17).
  • Bismuth subsalicylate: This over-the-counter medication (commonly sold as Pepto-Bismol) significantly relieves farting and other digestive symptoms following excessive food and alcohol intake (18).
  • Prifinium bromide: This medication (which affects certain nerve impulses) significantly reduces overall digestive symptoms, including farting, in people with irritable colon syndrome compared to placebo (19).
  • Curcumin: People who received curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) experienced a significantly greater reduction in farting episodes compared with those who received diclofenac, a common anti-inflammatory drug (20).
Warning
Always talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or medication, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Some products, particularly prescription medications, may have side effects or interactions with other drugs.

Probiotics

Probiotics may help improve gut bacteria balance and reduce excessive gas:

  • Multi-strain probiotics: Probiotics containing various types of beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus plantarum, have been shown to improve farting in people with irritable bowel syndrome (21).
  • Specific bacteria types: Drinking milk containing Bifidobacterium longum grown with lactose results in significantly less hydrogen production and farting compared to regular milk (22).
  • Bacillus coagulans: A Bacillus coagulans-based probiotic significantly improved digestive symptoms (including farting and abdominal pain) in adults with post-meal (after eating) intestinal gas-related symptoms (23).
Note
It may take several weeks of consistent probiotic use before you notice improvements in farting symptoms. If one probiotic doesn’t seem to help after 3-4 weeks, consider trying a different type or formulation. Probiotic effectiveness can vary based on individual gut bacteria differences.

Change Your Eating Habits

Simple changes to how you eat can help reduce gas:

  • Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to reduce the amount of air you swallow
  • Avoid drinking through straws
  • Limit carbonated beverages
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals
  • Be mindful of fat content in your diet, as research shows that fats can significantly delay intestinal gas clearance (how quickly gas moves through your system) (6)

Regular Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can help improve digestive function and reduce gas buildup. Exercise helps stimulate intestinal contractions, which can help move gas through your digestive system more efficiently.

Tip
Taking a walk after meals can help stimulate digestion and reduce post-meal bloating and gas. Even 10-15 minutes of gentle walking can help move gas through your digestive system more efficiently.

When to See a Doctor

While farting is usually not a cause for concern, sometimes it can indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention.

Consider seeing a healthcare provider if:

  • Your excessive farting is accompanied by other symptoms like persistent abdominal pain, bloating that doesn’t go away, diarrhea, constipation, unexplained weight loss, or blood in your stool
  • Lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies don’t improve your symptoms after several weeks
  • Your farting is significantly affecting your quality of life
  • You notice a sudden or dramatic increase in gas without any changes to your diet or lifestyle

A healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms, potentially recommend tests to identify underlying causes, and suggest appropriate treatments.

They might recommend specific medications or refer you to a digestive system specialist (gastroenterologist) and/or registered dietitian if needed.

Warning
If excessive farting is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, high fever, or significant unexplained weight loss, seek medical attention promptly as these could indicate a serious underlying condition.

Takeaway

Excessive farting can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but understanding its causes helps you tackle it effectively. Many factors can contribute to increased gas, including your diet, eating habits, digestive conditions, and certain medications.

Research-backed strategies to reduce excessive farting include dietary modifications like reducing hard-to-digest foods, taking supplements like alpha-galactosidase or probiotics, changing eating habits, and increasing physical activity.

Remember that occasional farting is completely normal, but if excessive gas is persistent or accompanied by other troubling symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions.

By implementing the strategies outlined in this article and working with healthcare professionals when needed, you can effectively manage excessive farting and improve your digestive comfort.

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