Why Do We Burp and Fart (So Much)?! | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Burping and farting are caused by swallowed air and the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract.

Key Insights

• 👱 Swallowing air is the main cause of burping, which occurs when the air builds up in the upper portion of the stomach and is released through the esophagus.
• 👶 Babies burp more frequently due to excessive air intake while nursing and underdeveloped digestive systems.
• 🫢 Undigested carbohydrates undergo bacterial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the production of gases that contribute to flatulence.
• 👃 Different species of bacteria and yeasts in the gut contribute to variations in the composition and smell of flatulence.
• 🤬 The average human fart contains nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and oxygen, with hydrogen sulfide being responsible for the foul smell.
• 😅 Eating sulfur-rich foods like eggs, onions, and beans can worsen the smell of flatulence.
• 😅 Factors like eating or drinking quickly, chewing gum, smoking, and wearing loose dentures can increase the amount of swallowed air and contribute to excessive burping.

Transcript

It's not exactly dinnertime conversation, but it's probably not dinnertime. Unless you watch Scishow while while you're eating dinner. In which case: I applaud you. But let's get it out there: we all burp, we all fart. Sometimes we do these things loudly and oftentimes they smell. But why do we do these things? And why do some foods and drinks exac... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What causes burping and flatulence?

Burping and flatulence are primarily caused by swallowed air and the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract.

Q: What factors can contribute to excessive burping?

Eating or drinking too quickly, chewing gum, smoking, drinking carbonated beverages, and wearing loose fitting dentures can all lead to excessive burping.

Q: Why do babies burp more frequently than adults?

Babies tend to gulp in too much air while nursing, and their digestive systems aren't fully developed to allow for easy burping. Therefore, adults often need to help babies burp by patting their backs.

Q: What types of foods can cause excessive flatulence?

Foods that contain undigested carbohydrates, such as cabbage, cauliflower, beans, and bran, can lead to increased flatulence due to their fermentation by bacteria in the gut.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Burping and flatulence are caused by swallowing air, which can be exacerbated by eating or drinking quickly, chewing gum, smoking, drinking carbonated beverages, or wearing loose fitting dentures.

• Swallowed air usually comes back up in the form of burps, while the air that isn't burped out passes through the gastrointestinal tract and mixes with undigested carbohydrates.

• Undigested carbohydrates, such as those found in cabbage, cauliflower, beans, and bran, are fermented by bacteria in the gut, resulting in the production of gases that include carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide.