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Flatulence consists of gases that are produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts living in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals and are released through the anus. Flatulence is known colloquially as farting.
The primary constituents of flatulence are the non-odorous gases nitrogen (ingested), oxygen (ingested), methane (produced by bacteria), carbon dioxide (produced by yeasts or ingested), and hydrogen (produced by some microbes and consumed by others). Odors result from trace amounts of other constituents (see below).
Intestinal gas comes from exogenous (90%) and endogenous (10%) sources. Exogenous gas is air that is ingested through the nose and mouth. Endogenous gas is produced within the digestive tract.
The gases are produced as a by-product of digesting certain types of food. Flatulence producing foods are typically high in starch, and include beans, yams, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, citrus rinds, chestnuts, broccoli, cabbage, yeast in breads, etc. In beans, the most notorious offenders in this regard, the problem seems to arise from starch molecules resistant to digestion: when the polysaccharides reach the intestines, intestinal bacteria feed on them, producing gas. In the case of those with lactose intolerance (ie. most non-Caucasian humans), intestinal bacteria feeding on lactose can give rise to excessive gas production. Another source of excessive gas production in the stomach is stress. Stressful situations can cause the stomach to produce gas. Also, not only does tight clothing cause a gassy stomach to be painful, it also can contribute to the production of gas.
The average person releases 1 to 3 pints (0.5 to 1.5 liters) of flatus in 12 to 25 episodes throughout the day.
Certain spices counteract the production of intestinal gas, most notably cumin, caraway and the closely related ajwain, turmeric, asafoetida (hing) and konbu (a Japanese culinary seaweed closely related to kelp).
Many people notice that if they reduce their intake of most refined carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and breads, their stomach gas production decreases significantly.
Digestive enzyme supplements can significantly reduce the amount of flatulence when that flatulence is caused by some components of foods not being digested by the body and feeding the microbes in the small and large intestines. The enzymes alpha-galactosidase (brands Beano®, Bean-zyme™), Lactase (brand Lactaid®), Amylase, Lipase, Protease, Cellulase, Glucomylase, Invertase, Malt Diastase, Pectinase, and Bromelain are available, either individually or in combination blends, in commercial products.
Probiotics (Yogurt, Kefir, Acidophilus, Bifidus, etc.) and Prebiotics (such as FOS) may also reduce flatulence if they are used to restore balance to the normal intestinal flora; used in excess, however, they may create an imbalance which increases flatulence.
While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, agents which lower surface tension can reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolving of the gases into other liquid and solid fecal matter.
A European study into the effect flatulence has on general health, did not find any statistical significant differences in the general health of more flatulent and less flatulent people. They did however find that those who vented more frequently, lived significantly happier lives. Despite an abundance of speculation, no direct cause for the phenomenon has been proven.
Breastfeeding mothers are advised to avoid gas producing food in their diet because breastfed babies can vomit when there is too much gas in their stomach.
Methane is the primary gas released. Four other gases that are found in large proportion are nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. As methane and hydrogen are flammable, some flatulence is as well. The gas released occasionally has a foul odor which mainly results from butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) that are the result of protein breakdown.
In many cultures, excessive human flatulence is regarded as embarrassing and impolite, even to the point of being a taboo subject; and hence a natural subject for toilet humour: see Blazing Saddles, Le Pétomane, Kangaroo Jack, and Austin Powers, among others. Flatulence can be considered humorous to some people, either due to the scent or the sounds produced. Some find humor in lighting farts, which works well due to the methane content. A few individuals, such as Le Petomane, have brought flatulence into the field of entertainment.
There are many euphemisms for flatulence/fart, including:
Bovine flatulence is a source of greenhouse gas and may contribute to the greenhouse effect. Livestock in New Zealand are said to produce about half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.
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