It is embarrassing, bothersome and often smelly, but farting is quite healthy.
Research on farting is limited although some studies suggest holding it in might not be healthy at all.
But despite its health benefits, excessive farting can really become a health concern requiring urgent attention.
Although there is no evidence that shows holding in a fart can kill you, the discomfort, indigestion, bloating and stomach noises can be quite uncomfortable.
The average person farts between 10 and 20 times per day and anything beyond this needs to be looked into.
Health experts say some foods are culprits at exacerbating excess gas in the intestines leading to excessive farting.
They say temporarily avoiding these types of foods can help identify the causes of of excess gas.
The Mayo Clinic has listed foods that sometimes are the culprit;
Dairy products
The sugar lactose in dairy foods is a common cause of gas. People who are lactose intolerant are unable to fully digest lactose - the sugar in milk.
As a result, they have diarrhoea, gas and bloating after eating dairy products or indulging in milk products.
Some vegetable species
Vegetables such as onions, radishes, cabbage, celery, carrots, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and legumes including peas and beans can contribute to gas in the stomach when bacteria in the intestines break down the carbohydrates found in the foods.
Too much fruit sugar
Some fruits like raisins, bananas, apples, grapes and pears can cause gas since they have a natural sugar alcohol called sorbirol which the body has a hard time digesting.
Other fruits have soluble fiber which is a fiber that dissolves in water, therefore making it easy to digest unlike those listed above.
Too much fiber and whole grains
Fiber is digested in the large intestines by the help of bacteria which produce gas in the process, causing bloating. Abruptly increasing the amount of fiber you eat can cause gas, bloating, and constipation.
Nutritionists recommend slowly adding more fiber into your diet to allow your body time to adjust.
Fatty foods
Fried food, fatty meat and some sauces can cause gas. This is because your body has a hard time digesting fat.
This slow rate of digestion allows food to ferment and produce gas.
Fizzy drinks and sodas (carbonated drinks)
Carbonated beverages contain dissolved carbon dioxide which becomes a gas when it warms to body temperature in the stomach. Reducing carbonated drinks may help resolve some of these problems.
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