There are several possible causes of protein farts, and in many instances the body rids itself of them naturally. But some can linger on for hours, affect your digestion and cause embarrassing moments. A good way to prevent this is to try to reduce the amount of beans in your diet. If you do happen to eat a lot of beans, timing is crucial. Eat them after a meal instead of with it and voila. No more farts.

Your body produces gas when it digests the protein in your food. The same thing happens if you eat a lot of protein. This reaction is very common for all people, especially for men because of their higher body mass. Protein farts can be an embarrassing occurrence, but don’t worry scientists have found a way to deal with them.

Protein farts are not as alien as you think. To avoid them, you could simply avoid protein or try out some of the other tips mentioned below.

What are protein farts?

Protein farts are the result of excessive intake of protein foods like meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. Your body doesn’t always digest all the proteins in these foods, so they get broken down by bacteria in your digestive tract. This produces gas that makes your stomach expand, which leads to bloating and eventually flatulence or farting.

This is especially common during times when you’re consuming more protein than usual, such as after a workout or during pregnancy. However, it isn’t just adults who suffer from farting; babies often pass gas too!

Why Do Protein Farts Occur?

When you eat a lot of protein (such as meat or fish), your body breaks down the fat and carbohydrates in the food first before digesting the rest of it. However, your body cannot digest all of the protein that you eat at once — it simply does not have enough enzymes to do so.

As a result, some of the protein remains undigested and is absorbed back into the blood stream where it travels through to your colon where gas is produced by bacteria (1). This process leads to gas being produced in your stomach and intestines which is then released from your butt as flatulence.

How to Stop Protein Farts

Protein farts are a common problem for many people. The good news is there are some simple things you can do to reduce the chances of having protein farts.

Protein farts are caused by a complex chemical reaction called a Maillard reaction. This reaction happens when amino acids on your food combine with sugars in your stomach to create smelly compounds. The reaction is even more pronounced when you eat foods high in protein and carbohydrates at the same time.

So how do you stop protein farts? Here are some tips:

Eat less protein

The more protein you eat, the more gas your body produces. This is because some of the proteins in our food don’t get broken down as they do in other animals’ bodies. Instead, they move through our digestive system whole and emerge from our rectum as gas. Eat less animal protein and more plant-based foods like beans and legumes to reduce gas production.

The More Fiber, the Better

Increasing your fiber intake will help prevent these farts from happening as often and reduce their odor. You can add more fiber to your diet by eating more fruits and vegetables or taking a daily fiber supplement like Metamucil or Benefiber.

Drink Plenty of Water throughout the Day

Drinking lots of water helps to keep digestion moving along smoothly, which helps reduce flatulence.

Exercise Regularly.

Exercise helps increase blood circulation throughout your body and improves overall health — including digestion — which will reduce how often you suffer from protein farts.

Tune in to Timing

If you eat a high-protein meal and then fart within 30 minutes, it’s probably the protein. The reason is that digestion takes time — especially if it’s a big meal with lots of fiber and fat. So if you’ve just eaten a steak or a chicken breast, it may take hours before your body breaks down all those proteins into smaller pieces (molecules) and moves them out of your body as gases or liquids.

Try Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a natural substance that’s used to treat food poisoning, gas and bloating. You can buy it at most health food stores or online. It absorbs toxins in your digestive tract and helps reduce gas. You can take one capsule before bedtime or two capsules three times per day with meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day as well.

Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods

Eat more fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables to help keep your digestive system moving along smoothly and minimize flatulence caused by constipation (which can occur when you’re not eating enough fiber). Also make sure you’re drinking enough water because dehydration can cause constipation, too!

Avoid Foods that Trigger Gas

According to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), certain foods can trigger excessive flatulence such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage; beans; onions; carbonated beverages; and processed meats such as sausage, hot dogs and bacon. If you experience gas after eating certain foods, try eliminating them from your diet for a few days to see if it makes a difference in how much you fart.

Last Words

So there it is: the lowdown on protein farts. While they can be particularly embarrassing at times, they’re easily preventable — and they don’t last forever. Just a few simple adjustments to your diet will help keep them at bay. Good luck!