You must have heard of brisk walk or jogging, but have you ever heard of fart walk? Well, the latest fitness TikTok trend is for everyone who struggles with bloating, indigestion, gas, heartburn and other digestive problems.
Fart walk, coined by Toronto-based cookbook author Mairlyn Smith, is exactly what it sounds like – a post-meal stroll you must take to release intestinal gas and improve digestion. After a high-fibre meal, a quick walk around your garden or your balcony can do wonders for your health, says Smith.
In a TikTok video, the author shared that she and her husband head out every night 60 minutes after dinner for their fart walk. “Now, why do we do this? Well, we eat a lot of fibre, so we have gas—everybody does—and, yeah, you fart while you walk. So that’s why I named it that.”
Wondering if it actually works or not? Well, according to several studies and experts, a post-meal walk helps the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, break down food and absorb nutrients. In simple words, it is a little exercise for your GI tract.
Here’s how fart walking improves digestion!
Better gut motility
Walking helps propel food through the GI tract more efficiently, according to a journal titled Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity. Studies also suggest that fart walks speed up gastric emptying, the process of moving food from the stomach to the small intestine.
Improved blood sugar levels
American Diabetes Association suggests that 30-minute walks every day can regulate blood sugar levels and help those with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Bloating
A major cause for bloating is gas buildup and fart walk can help release the trapped gas. Walking also creates internal pressure in the stomach and helps with the release of gas.
- Start walking about 40 to 60 minutes after eating.
- Take it slow and easy. Don’t walk fast as it can cause discomfort.
- Drink plenty of water after the walk and hydrate yourself.
- Walk for at least 20 to 30 minutes to get the best results.