Break bread, then wind. Forget contrast therapy and fire-burning rituals — the latest health and wellness trend embraces the simple joys of letting loose on an evening stroll.
Coined by Canadian cookbook author Mairlyn Smith, the so-called “fart walks” could just be the low-effort longevity secret you’ve been looking for.
This new health and wellness trend has all eyes on the simple act of walking while passing wind. “Going for a fart walk after dinner is something that is going to help you age wonderfully,” Smith said in a TikTok, revealing that she and her husband typically embark on 60-minute fart walks after dinner. While these walks undeniably keep the romance alive, the primary objective of this amusing yet serious flatulent fitness routine is to aid digestion and ward off serious diseases.
“We eat a lot of fiber, so we have gas — everybody does — so you fart when you walk,” Smith explained. “But the main reason we do the fart walks is by walking for as little as two minutes…we are helping reduce our chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.”
Dr. Tim Tiutan, an internal medicine doctor at NYC’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, strongly endorses this innovative approach. “I totally support fart walks,” he said in an Instagram video. “Walking after meals does promote intestinal motility — or movement of our intestines — to get rid of gas and prevent constipation. Another benefit of exercise is not only preventing large spikes in blood sugar but it also lowers our cancer risk.”
Fart walks are not all about humor; they can genuinely promote health. While further research is still needed on fart walks specifically, an array of studies indicates that moderate physical activity, such as walking, can significantly lower the risk of premature death. According to cancer.gov, aiming for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise weekly can reduce your risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
If committing to an extensive exercise routine sounds daunting, there's good news. A 2021 study revealed that even just 10 minutes of daily movement can alleviate bloating effectively. Quite remarkably, another study found that simple walking provides digestive benefits superior to running.
Gas is a normal byproduct of digestion, especially when you’re consuming high-fiber foods like beans, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods nourish your gut microbiome, but they also produce gases as they perform their life-enriching functions.
When ascending to higher forms of etiquette around health, it’s important to note that researchers in Iran have even pinpointed an ideal posture for fart walks. By clasping your hands behind your back and bending your head slightly forward, you can reduce the amount of air swallowed and increase abdominal pressure, gently moving trapped gas through the digestive tract more easily.
Consider the consequences of remaining sedentary after a meal. Gas can accumulate like a time bomb, resulting in cramping, bloating, and that mood-crushing discomfort no one desires. The beauty of fart walks lies in their ability to promote effective lower digestive movements.
With a clear pathway toward health through humor, make it a point next time you enjoy dinner to lace up your shoes and let it rip. Who knew that cutting the cheese could be so cutting-edge? Embrace the practical wisdom from experts like Mairlyn Smith and Dr. Tim Tiutan, and you might just unlock a plethora of health benefits of fart walks.
Take the plunge into this entertaining, yet profound trend today. You’ll walk your way to better digestion and may even find yourself chuckling along the journey.