Although they are terribly human, gases are often taboo. And cover us with shame when they are perceived … whether by ear or smell. But when we are bloated, can we actually know what type will be our next gases (just to preserve a little dignity)? On Instagram, an immunologist gave his answer.
Let’s talk about farts, let’s talk well!
Can we then predict the scope of our pets? For Dr. Zachary Rubin, it generally depends on its origin. He thus distinguishes three main sources of gas:
- The air we swallow (speaking, eating …), which is generally odorless (but noisy);
- Carbon dioxide from the digestion of carbohydrates, relatively neutral;
- And finally, the sulfur compounds produced by the slow fermentation of non -digested foods, often rich in protein or fiber. They are the real culprits of this rotten egg smell that we reduce.
More specifically, the absence of undermaid gas like air in certain flatulence allows sulfur to focus on it. Conversely, a noisy pet is often the fruit of an excess of swallowed – more noisy, certainly, but often more bearable.
“The term” silent but deadly “that we often use refers to the types of farts that produce a little gas, and this probably comes from this slow fermentation process’, underlines the scientist.
In summary: the more discreet it is, the more likely it is to smell bad!
A possible prediction, but not infallible
So, can we anticipate? Sometimes yes, if you know the contents of your plate. But when in doubt, it is better to follow Dr. Rubin’s golden rule: “Even if you are a little more informed now, it is always wise to fart responsiblely.” Go by that, far from the others. Because the rule knows some exceptions. Noisy farts can be just as repugnant as their sneaky counterparts, if the sulfur components are present, recalls the expert. “”An indigestion can cause a high volume, noisy and that can be smelly “. You are therefore not really safe.
The smell does not say (almost) anything of your health
On the other hand, that it does not worry you. If the scent embarrass or annoy, they are not a sign of poor health. For Dr. Pauline Guillouche, hepatologist, questioned in a previous article, our gases, fragrant or not, are sadly trivial : “These are the sulfur compounds that are responsible for odors. The rest of our gases are undermaid” she also supports. Sulfur compounds found in cabbage, legumes, red meat … “The more they are present on the menu, the more the risk of odors increase “. But neither the sound, nor the duration, nor even the smell worry professionals. “”Even if some consult for this reason, the smell, as strong as it is, is not a sign of illness, but simply a reflection of what we eat ” supported our expert.
It is therefore better to release the pressure on the subject … while taking our precautions so as not to inconvenience those around us. Especially since, as Dr. Guillouche recalled, the average of our farts is between 13 to 15 farts per day and per person. The air of nothing.