does farting burn calories

The idea that farting burns calories has been circulating online for years, often in the form of humorous memes and questionable health tips. While it’s true that any muscular activity technically uses some energy, the reality is that the number of calories burned by passing gas is so small it’s practically irrelevant. The muscles involved in releasing gas include the abdominal wall, diaphragm and anal sphincter, but the effort required is minimal and short-lived. You would burn more calories tying your shoelaces or blinking for a minute than you would from a single fart.

Energy Use and Digestion

Digestion itself does require energy, and this is known as the thermic effect of food. As your body breaks down carbohydrates, proteins and fats, it uses calories to fuel the process. However, flatulence is simply a by-product of that process. It results from the fermentation of food in the intestines by gut bacteria, which produce gases as they break down undigested material. While digestion burns calories, the act of releasing gas does not significantly contribute to overall energy expenditure. It’s more of an outcome than a calorie-burning activity.

Can Farting Ever Help You Lose Weight?

There is no credible scientific evidence that farting can help you lose weight in any measurable way. Even if you passed gas frequently throughout the day, the total caloric expenditure would remain so low that it wouldn’t impact your weight, body composition or metabolism. Real weight loss comes from creating a consistent calorie deficit through mindful eating and increased physical activity. Farting might relieve bloating or gas pressure, but it doesn’t shift the scale in your favour when it comes to fat loss.

The Role of Gut Health

Although farting doesn’t burn calories in any meaningful way, the frequency and type of gas you produce can be a reflection of your gut health. A diet high in fibre, particularly from beans, lentils, whole grains and cruciferous vegetables, often leads to more gas because these foods feed the beneficial bacteria in the colon. These bacteria ferment the fibre, producing short-chain fatty acids that support gut lining health and may even influence appetite regulation. While these internal processes are beneficial to health, they do not equate to calorie burning during flatulence itself.

Why the Rumour Exists

The rumour that farting burns calories likely started as a joke and took on a life of its own. Some versions of the claim say that a single fart burns as many as sixty calories, which would be the equivalent of doing several minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. In reality, such figures are completely untrue and not backed by any scientific data. The myth persists largely because it’s amusing and plays on the idea of finding effortless ways to lose weight — something that understandably appeals to many people.

The Science of Gas Expulsion

When you pass gas, the pressure builds in the intestines and signals muscles in the rectum and pelvic floor to contract and release. This muscle action does involve energy, but not in a way that affects your calorie balance. It's a brief, involuntary movement that your body can perform hundreds of times a year without breaking a sweat — literally. The energy cost is so tiny it wouldn’t even register on a fitness tracker. It’s similar to the calories used when sneezing or sighing, meaning it’s technically not zero, but far too minor to influence body weight or metabolic rate.

Flatulence and Bloating Confusion

Many people associate a particularly gassy day with feeling lighter after passing wind, but this is not due to calorie loss. What you're likely experiencing is a temporary reduction in abdominal pressure or bloating, which can create the sensation of having shed weight. However, no actual fat loss has occurred. You may feel less full or tight around the stomach, especially after eating a fibre-rich meal, but this is a shift in internal gas volume, not an indicator that your body has burned through stored energy.

Can Farting Increase Heart Rate?

Some articles jokingly claim that a powerful enough fart could spike your heart rate or mimic the exertion of light exercise. In truth, there's no measurable cardiovascular impact from farting unless it's accompanied by laughter, embarrassment or sprinting out of a room. The nervous system may briefly respond to abdominal cramping or gas pain, but these reactions do not burn enough calories to matter. Unless you’re climbing stairs to find a more private place, farting will never contribute meaningfully to your overall activity level.

Digestive Discomfort and the Illusion of Weight Loss

Gas build-up can cause cramping, bloating and discomfort all of which can lead someone to feel “heavy” or sluggish. Once that gas is released, it’s common to feel better, lighter and more mobile. However, this improvement is due to a reduction in intestinal volume, not a change in your caloric state. Feeling better does not mean you’ve burned fat or used up body energy. It’s a temporary shift in how your abdomen feels, not a marker of weight loss progress.

Could Fart Frequency Reveal Something About Your Diet?

While farting doesn’t burn calories, frequent flatulence may suggest your body is working hard to digest something. High-fibre diets, especially plant-based ones, increase the production of gas because your gut bacteria are thriving on indigestible carbs. This is generally a good sign of gut health, even if it’s not the most socially graceful one. People on low-carb diets often report less gas, not because their body is using fewer calories, but because there’s less fermentation happening in the colon. None of this relates directly to how many calories you burn, but it gives insight into how your diet supports or stresses your digestive system.

Summary

Farting may be a natural part of digestion and a sign of a healthy gut microbiome, but it does not burn calories in any significant way. The muscular effort involved is minimal, and any energy used is too small to have an impact on weight loss. While the idea might raise a smile, the truth is that lasting fat loss requires a calorie deficit achieved through balanced nutrition and regular movement. Flatulence is simply part of the digestive process, not a secret workout.