What happens if we hold back from farting?

Holding back flatulence can be harmful to your health - Photo: Getty Images

On average, a person releases about 0.5 to 1.5 liters of gas per day. Most farts are odorless, but it's rare for people to risk farting in public, especially on important occasions or events.

So how does holding in flatulence affect our bodies?

Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, and holding it in can cause discomfort, bloating, and even nausea. According to Dr. Ellen Stein, spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association, the human body has different ways of dealing with this gas buildup.

"There are many different changes and cycles happening with the bacteria in our gut to help us digest. The good news is that we have such a process, and the bad news is that gas has to come out somehow," Stein said.

According to LiveScience, not all components in food are utilized by the body, especially if the body cannot completely break down certain substances. For example, people who are lactose intolerant (lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products) find that lactose is not absorbed by the body and therefore ferments in the digestive system, causing symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea.

Additionally, gas can also build up during normal digestion. According to the American Society for Microbiology, hydrogen sulfide (the gas that smells like rotten eggs when you fart) is produced when beneficial bacteria in the gut break down proteins.

Farting is the body's natural way of dealing with these gases. Therefore, people who hold back from farting during the day usually deal with it during breaks or when their bodies are relaxed during sleep at night.

Ms. Stein explained that constantly holding back gas can harm the gut over time. Small pouches called colonic diverticula can form in the colon due to strain from constant bloating, and they can become harmful if infected.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-gi-xay-ra-neu-chung-ta-nhin-xi-hoi-20241002141513579.htm