We all do it: breaking air, tooting, farting — whatever you name it, passing gas is just part of being a living, breathing human being (Quick FYI: according to the Cleveland Clinic, the average person farts up to 23 times a day, so it’s inevitable).
But it happens so often, almost once an hour!—It Kind of begs the question: are there any real advantages to farting, apart from that sweet feeling of release? So, maybe in expelling these farts, your body burns some extra calories?
It turns out, it’s a ubiquitous question, at least on the internet. Complete Reddit threads are devoted to the problem, and one even reports that, according to a Google screenshot, “one fart burns around 67 calories.” It’s something that needs professional input, so Health reached out to an expert to weigh in on whether farting does burn calories, or if it’s all hot air.
First things first: What exactly is a fart?
Essentially, only the body gets rid of extra gas is a fart. “Farting, also known as flatulence, occurs when you have excess gas in your stomach and intestines,” says Tanya B. Freirich, MS, RD, New York-based nutritionist, and Sweet Nova registered dietitian, Health. “Expelling gas through your anus produces a fart.”
Excess gas could be caused by many different factors, such as food malabsorption, decreased consumption of sugar, or swallowing a lot of air while feeding.
“A common example of food malabsorption is resistance to lactose,” explains Freirich. “The body does not digest milk sugar (lactose) properly without the right enzymes and creates excess gas as these sugars are fermented in the digestive tract.”
Often known for causing further gas production are cruciferous crops such as sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Beans and dried fruits are other foods that often create a stink. “Cruciferous vegetables and beans are a source of extra fuel for raffinose (a sugar) and protein,” says Freirich. “Many fruits, especially dried fruits, are a source of sorbitol, an alcohol sugar that can cause increased gas.”
Now that’s out of the way, does farting burn calories?
Sadly, there’s no room for debate here: Farting does not eat any observable calories. “While calorie burn would be the silver lining on this stinky cloud, farting doesn’t burn calories,” Freirich says. This is because calorie burning is caused by muscle activation, and when muscles (in the anus) relax, farting occurs, she says. Some calories are burned even when you bite down to push some fuel out.
But, this doesn’t negate the fact that you could at least feel a little lighter after a fart—when your body releases that trapped gas, it could help lessen bloating.
Another thing to pay attention to: If you feel like you’re farting more than usual—or if your farting is accompanied by more frequent bowel movements, unexpected weight loss, or even blood in your stool—you should get that checked out by a doctor right away, since it could signal a bigger problem.
But you’re out of luck as far as farting your way to more burnt calories goes.
