‘Why Am I Farting So Much?’ A Doctor Reveals the Real Reasons And Easy Fixes
Hormonal changes and certain foods and drinks could be to blame
From “toot” to “cut the cheese” to “break wind,” there’s no shortage of euphemisms for passing gas. The only problem is that if we’re too polite to discuss it, we might overlook a few important clues about our health. So if you’ve been asking yourself, “Why am I farting so much?”—especially after 50—we’ve got expert insights from a top gastroenterologist to help you learn what’s going on, plus a few simple remedies to foil the farting.
What causes gas? 4 big triggers
The first thing to know: It’s perfectly normal, confirms Anish Sheth, MD, gastroenterologist and Chief of Gastroenterology at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. “The last study I read found that, on average, we pass gas about 14 times a day,” he says. “If you’re awake for, let’s say, 16 hours, that’s roughly once an hour.”
The two “partners” that work together to produce intestinal gas are the digestive system and gut bacteria, he adds. Here, he reveals a few of the most common triggers:
Woman's World Answers
High-fiber foods
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains—they’re all high-fiber foods that are good for you, but they also cause a lot of gas. “I have patients who tell me, ‘I’m at work and passing a lot of gas,’” says Dr. Sheth. “And when we go over their diet—oatmeal for breakfast, berries and nuts for a snack, a salad for lunch—it all makes sense. For people who want a little more control over gas production, it sounds simple, but I recommend cutting back on these foods before a presentation or meeting.”
Dairy products
“As we get older, our ability to digest lactose decreases,” says Dr. Sheth, adding that lactose intolerance can occur at any age. “Fermentation—which is how we get things like wine and beer—also produces gas. When carbohydrates and lactose reach the GI tract and we can’t fully digest them, the bacteria go on a feeding frenzy. Part of their digestive process, or fermentation, produces gases like carbon dioxide.”
Coffee
Say it ain’t so—not our morning java! You may already know that carbonated drinks can cause excess flatulence, but coffee surprises most people, notes Dr. Sheth. He explains that the stimulant speeds up digestion, which can result in increased gas.
Sugar substitutes
A top culprit of gas symptoms is sorbitol, which can be found in processed foods like candy, diet sodas and jams. It can cause both diarrhea and gas because the small intestine can’t fully digest it, Dr. Sheth explains. We should also include ultra-processed foods in this category, as their artificial ingredients can contribute to increased gas.
Worth noting: Sometimes, excess gas production can be a symptom of a digestive disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or an autoimmune condition like celiac disease.
Why am I farting so much after 50?
It’s not your imagination: Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can indeed make women gassier, notes Dr. Sheth. “A lot of women tell me, anecdotally, that it feels like [their system is] slowing down at this age, and GI issues such as gas and constipation become more common,” he says.
2 remedies for excessive gas
While farting is perfectly normal, Dr. Sheth shares a few simple strategies to help reduce bloating and discomfort:
Probiotic supplements
There’s a certain irony that the same fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut that promote gut health can also lead to more gas, notes Dr. Sheth. “So if somebody is already experiencing what they consider to be excessive gas, we don’t necessarily want to put them on a diet full of fermented foods. Instead, we often opt for a probiotic supplement like Align or Culturelle.” (Discover the best yogurt for weight loss after 50 here.)
Gentle exercise
A recent study in Scientific Reports found that taking a 20-minute walk started to increase gut motility within just one minute of exercise. While getting your digestive system moving may temporarily increase gas, it helps relieve bloating and discomfort—making those sneaky toots less likely to interrupt an important meeting or social gathering.
When farting may be a sign of an underlying health issue
In rarer cases, excess gas produced may signal a health condition such as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). But don’t worry too much: “This is a little bit of an overblown diagnosis,” says Dr. Sheth.
“A lot of folks who experience bloating and gas come in asking for a test for bacterial overgrowth. The idea is that an excess of certain bacteria can lead to increased gas production.” If you do test positive for SIBO, rest assured it can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Dr. Sheth advises contacting your healthcare provider if your gas is accompanied by any of the following:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Changes in bowel movements, such as diarrhea or loose stools
- Changes in bowel habits, such as going more or less frequently
- Constipation or bloating
Why am I farting so much? The bottom line
“There are a variety of medical conditions—some rare—that can cause gas or other intestinal issues,” says Dr. Sheth. “But for someone who is generally healthy and experiencing increased gas, the main focus should really be on the gut microbiome and diet.”
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