Everybody farts, even those who deny
Although farts sound disgusting and are still something to be ashamed of, everybody makes them because they’re part of our organism.
Here are 15 facts about farts you may not know:
1. Where are they born?
80%-90% of the gases come from the colon; the rest is air ingested by smoking, chewing, eating too fast, and drinking sodas. Bacteria are responsible for the production of gas inside the colon; they are billions and very useful because they prevent dangerous bacteria from taking their place. They nourish undigested rests and produce important nutrients like vitamin K and B12.
2. What are they made of?
The main gases are 5 and are odorless (carbon oxide, methane, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen); only a very small quantity of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and other substances smell bad.
3. How many do we make?
We produce an average of between 400 and 1,200 cm³ (0,10-0,32 gal) per day, namely about 5 glasses, or 12-13 emissions.
4. At what speed?
The average speed is 11 Km\h (6,8 mi).
5. At what temperature?
Around 37° C (98° F).
6. Are they flammable?
Yes, they are flammable if they contain great quantities of methane and hydrogen.
7. When are they noisy?
The air ingested usually produces more noisy farts but is odorless, whereas intestinal bacteria produce littler bubbles of air that are less noisy but more stinky.
8. Who farts the most?
A cow can produce from 300,000 to 600,000 cm³ (80-160 gal) of gas per day. Some animal farts are, however, dangerous for the planet because they are made of methane. Sheeps, for example, can produce 25 liters (7 gals) of methane a day. Methane is the most dangerous greenhouse gas, and cattle and sheep are responsible for 25% of methane in the atmosphere. Surprisingly, even termites are no less; they release 3.5% of methane into the atmosphere.
9. Which foods are more responsible?
Not only beans but all foods containing sulfur produce unpleasant farts such as cabbages, cheese, eggs, etc… Sometimes also a food intolerance can make you fart a lot.
10. They aren’t deadly!
A room full of farts can’t kill you.
11. Female vs. male
Due to a higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide in female farts, it was discovered that female farts smell worse than male ones.
12. In China, professional fart smellers can diagnose disease
These men and women are able to identify anal illnesses and pinpoint their bodily location. The scent (whether meaty, fishy, raw, bitter, or sweet), can predict whether one has a malady, such as intestinal infection or inflammation.
13. The Yanomami tribe of South America uses flatulence to say Hello
The members of the Yanomami tribe in South America, in particular, consider farting a friendly gesture and do it to greet each other.
14. Smelling farts can reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, arthritis, and dementia
Exposure to tiny amounts of hydrogen sulfide (for example the smell of rotten eggs) can prevent mitochondrial damage.
15. It would take nine farts from every person on Earth to make a hydrogen bomb
It would take 68 billion farts to create the energy of a thermonuclear weapon.
