• Question: why do we fart?

    Asked by mohammedalhumadi to Bob, Katie, Nisha, Sallie, Vee on 27 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Sallie Baxendale

      Sallie Baxendale answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      When we digest certain foods, they produce gas. Our body doesn’t like gas in its system so tries to get rid of it – if its high up in the system we burp, if it’s lower down, we fart.

    • Photo: Bob Bonwick

      Bob Bonwick answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Not everyone can. I didnt realise that about 10% of the population physically dont break wind. When we do it is down to the things we eat. Some things affect others more. It’s normal, kinda funny in a gross way, but none the less, an every day function.

    • Photo: Vee Mitchell

      Vee Mitchell answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      The bacteria in your digestive system produce gas when they have to deal with certain foods, the gas has to go somewhere or you’d explode, so it goes up or down as Sallie says. I’m sure you know what foods make you fart – beans, peas and any sort of pulses are well known, as do brussel sprouts!
      Animals that have a vegetarian diet and can digest more of the fibre that they eat, produce larger amounts of gas than we do – just as well cows and horses don’t live in houses!

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