It is estimated that humans release between 0.5 and 2.5 liters of gas daily, in both directions. The natural role of flatulence in maintaining the proper functioning of the body is not in doubt, but there is a small detail: when the gas is our own, it is not so problematic, but if it comes from another person, it is basically a chemical weapon from World War I. Why does that happen? Do we really like our own flatulence more?
Why do we emit gas?
The first question about flatulence is the most obvious: why do we spray our surroundings with gas? In essence, because we need to. Intestinal gas is ingested (especially when we eat or drink), derived from its natural presence in foods and liquids, or the result of the fermentation process. To be precise, 74 percent of the gas belongs to endogenous intestinal production (that is, inside us), but the most important factor behind its volume and composition (which can vary enormously) is diet: some foods are difficult to process and carry a much more pungent component, so to speak. A classic example is beans, and Men's Health explored their effects with a nice video:
Do our own gases smell better?
However, that publication also raises another doubt: for some reason, our own flatulence smells better, or is tolerated without problems. According to Loretta Breuning, author, professor, and founder of the Inner Mammal Institute, it is mainly a matter of habit: gas expulsion is daily, and its smell becomes familiar. At the same time, she explains that smell is an essential survival mechanism in nature. Faced with the need to detect other odors (think of milk, meat, or rotten fruits), the response is to ignore our own.
The nutritionist Tracy Lockwood suggests another factor: the family. She indicates that our ability to produce methane (only one of multiple components in intestinal gas) is based on genetics, and that descendants of "methane producers" have a 95 percent probability of becoming producers as well. Furthermore, early exposure to these kinds of smells can lead to the development of a certain sense of familiarity and security.
Now, what happens if our gases commit a clear violation of the Geneva Protocol? Back to the first paragraph, the culprit is our diet. Lockwood recommends reducing the amount of cruciferous vegetables with high levels of sulfate, a component that is not usually well absorbed by the intestine, but if the situation does not improve, the recommendation is always to consult a professional.
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