A new study has examined how many times the average person passes gas each day — and suggests the number can shift as we get older.
Let’s be honest: farting isn’t exactly pleasant, particularly when it’s loud, smelly, or both.
Even so, it’s a normal bodily function — and the research indicates people may do it far more often than many assume.
For years, health professionals have commonly suggested that a healthy adult farts somewhere between five and 15 times daily. Researchers at the University of Maryland, however, say real-world numbers can be significantly higher.
A summary of the study states: “The goal of this observational study is to quantify the typical frequency of flatulence in healthy adults, normalized by fiber intake. The study will enroll a maximum of 500 adults across the United States who will wear the device for three consecutive days while continuing their usual daily activities.”
Based on the data collected, the scientists concluded that healthy adults released gas an average of 32 times per day — more than double many earlier estimates.
Of course, the results varied widely. Some participants passed wind as few as four times in a day, while others reached an eye-watering 59.
The researchers also point to age as a potential factor. As people grow older, metabolism and digestion can slow, which may affect how quickly food moves through the digestive system.
When digestion takes longer, gas can build up and hang around longer in the gut, which may increase the likelihood of flatulence.
This can be even more noticeable after eating large meals, as well as foods that are spicy or otherwise more likely to cause bloating.
Even with an average emerging from the study, researchers say there still isn’t a universally accepted benchmark for what counts as “normal.” Brantley Hall, an assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at UMD, said the topic has historically been difficult to measure with precision.
He said in a press release: ““Objective measurement gives us an opportunity to increase scientific rigor in an area that’s been difficult to study.
“We don’t actually know what normal flatus production looks like. Without that baseline, it’s hard to know when someone’s gas production is truly excessive.”
Looking ahead, the team plans to keep investigating the subject and ultimately aims to develop a Human Flatus Atlas, which they hope will provide clearer answers over time.