Why Am I Farting so Much? 7 Causes of Excessive Farting

Causes of excessive farting include high fiber foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonation, intolerance to certain foods, gastrointestinal conditions, certain medications, and even stress.

Farts, or flatulence, are generally a normal part of digestion. You’ll typically experience gas symptoms while eating or after finishing a meal. A person may pass gas through the anus up to 25 times daily, but you can have more flatulence than usual for a variety of reasons.

Some foods, such as those that are high in fiber and carbohydrates, are harder to digest. This causes more gas in the digestive tract. Everyone’s digestive systems are unique, and some people are more prone to experiencing more farting from eating these foods. High gas-producing foods include:

• Artificial sweeteners
• Beans
• Beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, like sports drinks and fruit juices
• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale
• Dairy products
• Fruits like peaches, pears, and apples
• Whole grains

Track which foods you have recently eaten when you experience flatulence. Limiting those foods can reduce farting.

Swallowing excess air, particularly while eating, is a big contributor to excess farting. Eating quickly, talking while eating, using a straw, chewing gum, eating on the run, eating large portions, and sucking on hard candies are all eating habits that can lead to swallowed air, causing flatulence.

Smoking and using loose-fitting dentures may also lead to taking in excess air.

Carbonated drinks like seltzer water, soda, and carbonated booze, such as beer and hard seltzer, could be culprits for increased gas. Carbonation can introduce more air into your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Farts accompanied by abdominal pain or discomfort after eating could be attributed to food intolerance. For example, you may have lactose intolerance, which means your body doesn’t digest the sugar in dairy well.

Other than farts and abdominal pain, additional GI symptoms accompanying food intolerances can include abdominal distension, bloating, and diarrhea.

Excess stress can affect your farts. Stress can make you gulp and swallow more air without intending to do so.

You might also experience more farting due to the relationship between stress and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stress can contribute to the development of IBS, but research has also found that people with IBS report having more stress.

You can practice de-stress techniques like mindful meditation and deep breathing, which can keep you from swallowing excess air.

Various untreated digestive issues and disorders, such as celiac disease, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome, can cause excessive farting. An underlying issue may be at play if you have additional symptoms, such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea.

Some medications may increase farting. These include antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve).

Farting throughout the day and night is a good thing, as it’s a way to release trapped gas. If farts didn’t happen, the gas buildup would lead to uncomfortable bloating.

Trapped gas may result in cramping pain. Gas that gets caught in your colon can also feel painful. Gas in the upper right part of the colon may feel similar to gallbladder pain; if it’s in the upper left part, it can feel like heart pain.

Chewing food thoroughly and slowly, and limiting carbonated drinks, chewing gum, and gas-producing foods when possible, can help prevent farts.

Using supplements is another possible preventative option. Some supplements can reduce gas symptoms caused by food intolerances. However, talk with a healthcare provider before using supplements to ensure they’re safe for you.

You can also reduce the likelihood of gas by:

• Eating smaller meals
• Taking a post-meal, 10-to-15-minute walk
• Trying to relax while eating

It’s generally normal to experience farting as part of the digestive process. However, consult with a healthcare provider if you have:

• A sudden change in symptoms
• Additional symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or weight loss
• Anemia
• Bothersome gas-related symptoms
• Fever
• Lack of appetite
• Stools that are bloody, foul-smelling, or oily
• Vomiting

When these symptoms happen alongside gas, they may indicate health conditions such as digestive tract blockages, irritable bowel syndrome, or not being able to absorb nutrients.

Farts are normal; they occur when gas escapes the digestive system. Some individuals may find themselves farting more often because of carbonated beverages, food intolerances, or stress. You should see a healthcare provider if you have other symptoms with farts, such as stomach pain or bloody stools.