Digestive healthGeneral wellness

Why farts smell and 5 more flatulence facts

Find out why we fart, how often we fart and other stinky facts about passing gas.

Jan, 2026
LearnHiccupsWhy farts smell and 5 more flatulence facts
Slide 1
Why people fart
The ingredients of a fart
People fart more than you'd think
It's more than just beans that make you fart
Lots of conditions can increase flatulence
You can take medication to fart less

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Slide 1

Everyone farts. Whether you find it embarrassing or disgusting depends a lot on whether you’re alone (age probably makes a difference too, given kids’ affinity for fart jokes). But why do we do fart? Why are some farts smellier than others? Why are some silent, while others make a can’t-be-missed announcement that gas has been passed? Is there anything you can do to fart less? We’ve answered all the questions you’re too embarrassed to ask, from what’s in a fart to how much is normal. 

Written byPatrick Sullivan.
Medically reviewed byMark Arredondo, MD.November, 2023

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