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New York Post
What’s a ‘fart walk’? How this trendy exercise can help digestion
By Reda Wigle,
2 days ago
Does this trend pass the smell test?
Mairlyn Smith , a Toronto-based cookbook author and self-proclaimed “Queen of Fiber,” claims a post-meal “fart walk” could be the solution to your digestive issues. She coined the concept after setting out on a stroll with her husband for an hour after mealtime — and letting it rip.
“Fart walks”: bad smelling, good feeling. Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Smith recalls that her now-viral marital routine of release started a decade ago as a simple post-supper walkabout, “It all began 10 years ago… I suggested to my husband that we go for a walk after dinner. When you eat as much fiber as we do, you can get gassy. We walked…cue the farts, and the legendary #Fartwalk was born.”
“Fart walk” founder Mairlyn Smith considers the post-meal stroll an ideal way to “age wonderfully.” TikTok / @mairlynthequeenoffibre
In addition to trending on social media, Smith’s cheek-squeaking ritual has garnered applause from GI docs and medical professionals who say the practice is great for gut health.
It’s well-established that exercise can aid digestion. Dr. Lisa Ganjhu , a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone, explains to SELF , “When you are moving, your GI tract is also moving. This helps trigger gut motility, or movement of your intestines, which is essential for properly breaking down food.”
Walk it out to work it out. Kay Abrahams/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Accelerated digestion can also help alleviate heartburn, acid reflux and bloating.
Recent studies show that mild movement, like walking, may trigger a nerve reflex that helps propel foods and gas contents through the gut. Walking also engages the abdominal muscles, creating internal pressure on the colon that helps to push intestinal gas out.
Researchers in Iran have identified the ideal posture for the famed fart walk — hands clasped behind the back and neck flexed forward. This positioning decreases the amount of air swallowed and leads to more internal abdominal pressure, allowing for a more gentle squeezing out of gas from the colon.
Consistent fart walks may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. M Einero/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Smith claims her flatulence fad guards against the development of Type 2 diabetes and experts seem to agree.
A study in the journal Nutrients found that walking after eating helps stabilize blood sugar levels — repeated spikes in blood sugar over a sustained period can lead to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Even 10 minutes of light activity can aid digestion. Rasi – stock.adobe.com
Forget about hot girl walks — fart walks are the new step to it of the summer. Studio Romantic – stock.adobe.com
Among the glorious virtues of a fart walk is that it need not be long to be beneficial. A 2021 study found as little as 10 minutes of movement can help alleviate bloating.
Smith echoes the sentiment, “It’s these little things you do on a regular basis that can have a long-term health [benefit]. So saddle yourself up for a fart walk.”
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