Passing gas, or flatulence, is a completely natural process that everyone experiences. According to clinical nutritionist Ryan Fernando, understanding what is the ‘normal’ amount of farting and when it could signal an underlying issue, is the key to maintaining good digestive health. By applying his guidance and evidence-backed nutritional principles, we can understand what our body is trying to tell us and take a practical approach to support optimal digestion.

The passing of gas indicates that the digestive system is functioning properly. This natural physiological process occurs when the body breaks down food and air is swallowed during eating or drinking, producing various gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane. The release of these gases is a normal daily physiological function and signifies an active, healthy gut.

Most people experience this between 10 to 20 times a day, according to Ryan Fernando. Within this range, the body expels gases that are mostly odorless, such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, while only a small portion carries an odor. If your daily count falls within this bracket, it is considered healthy and normal, indicating that your digestive system is efficiently processing meals. However, while this may sound completely normal, the frequency can vary depending on factors such as biology, meal composition, and daily routine. On the other hand, exceeding 20 episodes a day may suggest that something is not quite right.

Having more than 20 episodes of passing gas per day may indicate that something is wrong. Following are some of the possible reasons for excessive production of gas, according to Ryan Fernando:Foods: Beans, legumes, cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli and cabbage, high-fiber foods, and carbonated drinks are common culprits.Digestive problems: Most of the issues, starting from constipation and IBS to gut imbalance, always result in increased gas.Habits: Eating too quickly or swallowing air while talking or drinking also leads to excessive gas.Lifestyle: High levels of stress and anxiety are well-known to affect digestion and at times lead to increased flatulence.Medications or sweeteners: Certain artificial sweeteners and some drugs promote the production of gas.

While some variability in daily gas output is normal, passing gas more than 20 times a day on a regular basis may indicate dietary imbalances or digestive issues. If excessive gas is accompanied by pain, bloating, or changes in bowel habits, it is advisable to seek medical guidance.

Following are ways to control and eliminate excess gas naturally, as listed by Ryan Fernando:Eat more slowly, and chew your food well; this will help your body digest food and keep air from being swallowed.Drink plenty of water: Hydration is important for efficient digestion, promoting easy motion of food through the gut.Carbonated drinks should be limited. These drinks introduce more air into your digestive system, increasing gas.Include both soluble and insoluble fiber: Eating a variety of different types of fibrous food at each meal encourages better gut motility, but increase intake gradually to avoid sharp increases in gas.Probiotics: Probiotics are friendly bacteria that improve gut flora and therefore may reduce gas.Exercise daily: Physical activity improves digestion and speeds up metabolism, hence giving less time for gas accumulation.Eat balanced meals: Emphasize those meals where the right proportion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats will make digestion easy.See More: Home remedy to reduce gas in the stomach in the morning

While most people are concerned with passing too much gas, having too little can be an indication of an impending problem, such as slow gut movement or low enzyme activity in the digestive system. This could mean that our digestive system is not breaking down food as well as it should, which may affect how well the body is absorbing nutrients. However, if one experiences persistent, excessive, or painful gas, it would be a good idea to check with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying problems. Maintaining awareness of your body’s signals, whether it’s too much or too little gas, can help you catch early signs of digestive imbalance and take timely steps toward better gut health.