Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Richard on 24/12/2008 15:51:43

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Richard on 24/12/2008 15:51:43

Richard asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi,

Hopefully you can settle a debate I'm having with my wife.

It relates to the iconic 'beans round the campfire' scene in the movie
Blazing Saddles, on the slightly indelicate subject of flatulance!

My view is that, yes, eating a certain type of food can cause flatulance, but not within minutes! Surely it takes longer to get through the body?
My wife is of the opinion that it only takes twenty minutes or so before we
feel the effects after eating say, brussel sprouts!!!!

SO..... My rather embarrassing question is: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?

We listen to url=http://www.thenakedscientists.com/ask]Ask the Naked Scientists[/url] on a Thursady evening so hopefully you can broadcast your thoughts and settle the debate once and for all.

Many thanks

Richard in Suffolk.

What do you think?

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 25/12/2008 04:30:01

You might want to have a look at this: http://www.biologyinmotion.com/minilec/gas.html

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 25/12/2008 04:35:29

So I suppose the answer to your question will vary, it'll also depend upon what you have already got in your stomach before you eat your beans or brussel sprouts.

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 26/12/2008 10:36:55

Wife and I had Christmas dinner as normal with all the usual trimmings, roasted parsnips, roasted carrots, asparagus, stuffing made with leak, egg, small clove of garlic redcurrants and pork “godly” But with an exception. We did not eat any dried fruit or any product that contained. Wife ate a mince pie however. Result: no excessive flatulence. Food for thought?

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 26/12/2008 11:21:35

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say.

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 26/12/2008 14:52:37

Trying to say it is not the sprouts and stuffing etc that causes excess flatulance during the festering season. But the dried fruits are highly suspect.

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 26/12/2008 23:12:53

Perhaps the dried fruits contain amounts of carbohydrates that enzymes can't breakdown, that's basically what causes excess flatulence

Title: How long does flatulance take to develop an 'output' after eating?
Post by: DrN on 28/12/2008 23:06:44

I'm sure curry goes through pretty quickly! ;oD