Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Sean Moore on 04/07/2008 09:14:01

Title: Wht does the smell of flatulence vary?
Post by: Sean Moore on 04/07/2008 09:14:01

Sean Moore asked the Naked Scientists:

Why do farts have such differing smells? Some are tortuous to whiff, and others seem to have no scent at all. What's up with that?
What do you think?

Title: Wht does the smell of flatulence vary?
Post by: neilep on 04/07/2008 12:02:46

As a sheep, I am of course an authority on all things that exit my anal sphincter.

I have noticed that the aroma of a ' bottom-burp ' varies depending on what's being consumed !

In other words, I am quite sure that it depends on your diet what is finally represented by a choice scent at the other end.....

...Lets hope a passing farter POPs in and confirms this.

Title: Wht does the smell of flatulence vary?
Post by: John21 on 04/07/2008 12:36:15

Seems to me that the intensity of the smell has to do with the amount (poop) currently ripening in the chamber. After evacuation: minimal whiff.

Title: Wht does the smell of flatulence vary?
Post by: paul.fr on 04/07/2008 23:04:13

Your Diet.

Title: Wht does the smell of flatulence vary?
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 05/07/2008 09:00:02

May not just be diet, could be down to a variety of different microbes and yeasts in the gut and intestines making some people smellier than others yet eating the same diets.

For example when food poisoning occurs a foul smelling evacuation of the bowels is present. Ecoli alien to your own system for example causes excess foul smelling gas.