This is what happens in our bodies when we hold gas

0

Have you ever been in a situation where the accumulated gas caused you great embarrassment and you had to hold it in? Let's face it – we have all been in such a situation and more than once.

Trying to hold it in leads to increased pressure and significant discomfort. The accumulation of intestinal gas can cause bloating. As a result, some of the gas is absorbed back into the bloodstream and comes out when you breathe.

By flatulence we mean intestinal gas. It enters the rectum as a result of normal gastrointestinal digestion processes. As well as as a result of metabolism, and then passes through the anus.

When your body digests food in the small intestine, ingredients that cannot be broken down move through the gastrointestinal tract and eventually enter the large intestine.

Some of the contents are broken down by intestinal bacteria through fermentation. This process produces gas and byproducts called fatty acids, which are reabsorbed and used by the body.

How much gas is normal?

It's not easy for researchers to get people to fart for an experiment. Fortunately, ten healthy adults were able to count the amount of gas they passed per day. And here are the results the researchers got:

The subjects ate as usual. They also had to eat about 200 grams of any legumes to increase gas production.

After 24 hours, they produced an average volume of gas of 705 ml, but ranged from 476 to 1,490 ml per person.

Hydrogen gas was released in the largest volume (361 ml per day), followed by carbon dioxide (68 ml/day). Methane, the amount of which varied from 3 ml/24 hours to 120 ml/day, is produced by only three adults. Other gases, mainly nitrogen, amounted to about 213 ml/24 hours.

Both men and women produced about the same amount of gas. On average, they had eight episodes of flatulence (single farts or series) in 24 hours. The volume ranged from 33 to 125 ml. At the same time, a larger amount of intestinal gas was released within an hour after eating.

Gas was produced during sleep. But only half as much, compared to the day (an average of 16 ml/h versus 34 ml/h).

Gas in the intestines comes from various sources. This can happen from swallowing air. And also from carbon dioxide, which is formed when stomach acid mixes with carbonate in the small intestine. Alternatively, gases can be produced by bacteria in the colon.

These gases perform certain tasks that affect health. However, excessive gas formation in the intestines can lead to bloating. And also severe stomach pain, vomiting, etc.

Finally, bad news for those who fly frequently. Due to the increased volume of gas at lower pressure in the plane, you are more likely to pass gas than on the ground.

The best thing you can do for your digestion and your body in general is to find an opportunity to pass gas when your body requires it.