What Is Fart Walk – A Viral Fitness Trend Which Can Aid In Digestion? (Image credits: iStock)
TikToker Mairlyn Smith recently introduced her followers to a new fitness trend – Fart Walk – which has gone viral ever since. Mairlyn claimed that every night she and her husband lace up their running shoes about 60 minutes after dinner and head out. “Now, why do we do this?” she says in the video. “Well, we eat a lot of fiber, so we have gas—everybody does—and, yeah, you fart while you walk. So that’s why I named it that,” she added.
Smith said that it all began 10 years ago when she suggested to her husband that they go for a walk after dinner. The fart walk, does help in digestion, as every form of exercise does.
While speaking to media, Dr Lisa Ganjhu, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone said, “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.” Good digestion can help prevent problems like heartburn, acid reflux, and bloating.
According to recent studies, mild movement, like walking might lead to a nerve reflex that helps propel foods and gas contents through the gut. Walking further engages the abdominal muscles and creates an internal pressure on the colon which helps to push intestinal gas out.
Apart from this, walking is accompanied by several other health benefits. Here is why you should incorporate walking in your daily routine.
- Cardiovascular Health: Walking is a fantastic way to improve your cardiovascular health. It gets your heart pumping, increases blood circulation, and strengthens your heart muscle.
- Weight Management: While it may seem less intense than running or lifting weights, walking can be incredibly effective for weight management. A consistent walking routine helps burn calories, boost metabolism, and tone muscles.
- Mental Wellbeing: The benefits of walking extend beyond the physical realm. Spending time outdoors, soaking in natural sunlight, and breathing fresh air during your walks can do wonders for your mental health.
- Improved Brain Function: Engaging in regular physical activity like walking has been linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline as you age.
- Joint Health: Walking is gentle on your joints while still providing an effective workout. It helps lubricate your joints, strengthen surrounding muscles, and improve flexibility and range of motion.
- Increased Energy Levels: It may seem counterintuitive, but expending energy through physical activity like walking boosts your overall energy levels. Regular walking improves circulation and oxygen flow throughout your body, delivering nutrients and energy to your cells more efficiently.