What is flatulance?

Flatulance, also known as passing gas or farting, is the act of releasing intestinal gas from the rectum. This is a normal part of digestion and consists mostly of odorless gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and sometimes methane. In some cases it can contain trace amounts of other smelly compounds created by bacteria in the large intestine such as indole and skatole.

Flatulence can vary greatly between individuals depending on their diet and gut flora (the population and types of microorganisms that live in their intestines). Some foods are known to produce more flatulence than others; these include beans, lentils, cabbage-like vegetables (such as broccoli), dairy products (like milk), onions and garlic. Eating fiber-rich foods may also result in increased flatulence due to undigested material being broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Stressful or emotional situations can also contribute to an increase in flatulation.

While it’s generally considered an uncomfortable topic for discussion - if not outright embarrassing - passing gas is natural body function that serves a purpose; it helps release toxins from the body through expelling residue gases from food digestion which would otherwise build up within your digestive system if not expelled this way.