Farting is not only natural but also a signal that your digestion is on track. While it’s perfectly fine to let loose, an overabundance might leave you and anyone standing close to you to run for the nearest escape route. Plus, too much gas can also signal potential health concerns.
Kholeka Mgidi, a mother from Fourways in Johannesburg, finds it challenging to control her kids’ flatulence.
“It’s challenging to keep an eye on kids’ diets when they’re experimenting with different dishes,” she says.
She adds, “It’s annoying when their farts smell terrible. Aloe vera helps; I always have some on hand.”
Mgidi has developed a practice in which her family drinks two tablespoons of aloe vera each weekend. Maintaining this routine helps with digestion and reduces the unpleasant odour associated with flatulence, making the home feel more inviting.
She noticed that certain foods worsen the condition, such as dairy, cabbage, and lentils. When she consumes them, she ensures to occasionally use castor oil to help with stomach bloating and control gas.
“I know these meals are healthy but I limit my daily intake to prevent constant farting.”
Kholeka Mgidi
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Taming bad winds with diet changes
Phumla Sandile from Gugulethu in Cape Town used to deal with frequent and irritating flatulence until she realised that spicy foods and fizzy drinks were the main triggers.
“Despite my love for spicy meals, I’ve cut back on spices and fizzy drinks,” explains Sandile. “Now, I cook with salt and oils, and my flatulence has returned to normal.”
Sandile mentions that with children in the household, the family has found success by incorporating fun and playful fruits and vegetables into their diet.
While controlling their consumption of candies and chips isn’t easy, snacking on more fruits and vegetables has proven to be healthier and has reduced excessive flatulence.
She also notes that having aloe vera at home is a win to help with stomach discomfort and kill worms in kids.
How much farting is normal?
According to Dr Siyanda Mgangato, who oversees the mobile clinics for the youth health movement #Keready in the Pietermaritzburg region of KwaZulu-Natal, a healthy adult can fart between 10-25 times a day.
Beyond this, it can be defined as excessive flatulence, especially if it is associated with other symptoms such as constipation or diarrhoea, blood in your stools, vomiting, or fever, in which case you should see a doctor.
“Everybody farts, and this is quite normal, whether it is smelly or odourless, loud or silent.”
Dr Siyanda Mgangato
She explains that there are several factors that can influence how often you fart and whether it is smelly or not. It’s vital to note that a smelly fart doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem; factors like higher fibre foods, antibiotics, food intolerance, and constipation can all contribute, she adds.
“In rare cases, colon cancer can also cause your fart to be smelly. Flatulence on its own is not an indication of liver disease but it can be one of the signs, especially in fatty-liver disease,” Mgangato explains.
Liver disease can also slow down bowel movements, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness and reduced nutrient absorption, including fats and other nutrients, she says.
Managing flatulence and liver health
Mgangato explains that the gas in your gastrointestinal system is caused by the air you swallow when you eat or drink, as well as by food being digested.
“By consuming foods that are harder to digest, such as those high in fibre and certain types of sugar, you may experience more flatulence.”
Foods that can exacerbarte farts, are beans, eggs, vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, and cauliflower, dairy products especially if you are lactose intolerant, fruits such as apples, pears and prunes, and drinking too much soda.
Mgangato says through lifestyle and dietary changes, it is possible to reduce the amount of flatulence you experience.
Things you can do to limit flatulence:
- Identify the foods that cause you to fart a lot and limit them in your diet.
- Eat small meals more frequently.
- Eat and drink more slowly.
- Consume fewer fatty foods.
- Avoid carbonated drinks and beer.
- Stop smoking or chewing gum.
- Try over-the-counter medication.
It’s also important to take care of your liver, and here are some tips to help:
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Consult your doctor before starting any herbal remedies.
- Avoid drug use and sharing of needles.
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Get tested for hepatitis and receive the hepatitis vaccine.
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