What Is "Fart Walk", New Wellness Trend Going Viral For Its Health Benefits
A new health and wellness trend called "fart walk" is gaining traction on social media after receiving firm backing from medical professionals. According to the New York Post, the term, "fart walk", was first coined by Canadian cookbook author Mairlyn Smith. The trend revolves around taking a light walk after meals and embracing the simple joys of letting loose. According to experts, this habit could just be the low-effort longevity secret you've been looking for, as it can help improve long-term health by promoting intestinal motility and reducing gas and constipation.
"Going for a fart walk after dinner is something that is going to help you age wonderfully," Smith said in a TikTok, explainaing that the primary goal of this fitness routine is to aid digestion and ward off serious disease.
"We eat a lot of fiber, so we have gas - everybody does - so you fart when you walk," Smith explained, per the Post. "But the main reason we do the fart walks is by walking for as little as two minutes...we are helping reduce our chances of developing Type 2 diabetes," she added.
Dr Tim Tiutan, an internal medicine physician at New York City's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, backed Smith's fitness trend. "I totally support fart walks," he said in an Instagram video. "Walking after meals does promote intestinal motility - or movement of our intestines - to get rid of gas and prevent constipation. Another benefit of exercise is not only preventing large spikes in blood sugar or even making us more sensitive to insulin for up to 24 hours, but it also lowers our cancer risk," he added.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dr. Tim Tiutan | Internal Medicine (@doctortim.md)
According to The Independent, Dr. Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist at the University of Washington Medical Centre, also supported the trend. He explained that a post-meal walk is most effective if done within an hour of eating.
"If you wait too long, you'll miss the spike because it starts going up within minutes after you eat when the stomach starts to empty into the small intestine where all of the nutrients, including glucose, get absorbed into the blood," he said.
Lastly, according to experts, "fart walks" can also reduce the risk of cancer. "Going for a walk at an average to brisk pace can provide people with a tremendous health benefit. It's free, easy, and can be done anywhere," Dr. Alpa Patel, of the American Cancer Society, said.
"You get more bang for the buck if you walk after meals," Loretta DiPietro, a professor of exercise and nutrition science at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, explained.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Can you believe…I have dropped cardio completely': Lisa Ray has an advice for women over 40; experts weigh in
Lisa Ray, 53, recently captured the struggles of working out at the gym. 'So…tell me you had a killer workout without telling me. Leg day is challenging with @ @transform_tsk but in a good way. I've read that overly intense workouts that leave you feeling utterly drained can trigger a stress response in mid-lifers and can end up causing your body to hold onto weight. Moderation. Consistency. And a few laughs,' the Kasoor actor wrote on Instagram. Ray also had advice for those over 40. 'Ladies 40 plus – it's worth your while finding a trainer who understands women's fitness needs post 40. Or else finding a discipline that you enjoy and works for you. In my case, Pilates, yoga, tennis and the non negotiable is weight training. I travel a lot so it's not easy to be consistent but I show up. For myself. Not for anyone else's validation.' According to her, intense cardio is not recommended after a certain age. 'And can you believe I have dropped cardio completely? After a certain age, intense cardio is not recommended. I get enough cardio getting off the floor and climbing in and out of the gym equipment any how,' quipped Ray. Taking a cue from her admission, let's explore if quitting cardio is recommended for women over 40. Fitness coach Varun Rattan stressed that almost everyone can benefit from cardiovascular exercise (cardio) in their workout routine, regardless of age or gender. 'Just as we perform weight training to build and maintain skeletal muscle, cardio exercises serve as a workout for the heart and lungs. It has benefits like lowering resting heart rate and blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart disease,' said Rattan. Cardiovascular exercise is not only safe but highly recommended for individuals over 40 and 50, said Dr Sanjeeva Kumar Gupta, consultant, dept of cardiology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi. 'Engaging in regular aerobic activity offers numerous health benefits, including improved heart health, enhanced endurance, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases,' Dr Gupta added. Experts suggest that adults in this age group aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week, or a combination of both. However, cardio can vary depending on an individual's fitness level. 'For a sedentary person, activities as simple as climbing two flights of stairs may be sufficient to raise the heart rate and breathing, constituting effective cardio exercise. In contrast, moderate to highly active individuals might find swimming a few laps in a pool an appropriate cardiovascular workout. The intensity of exercise naturally varies between individuals and should be tailored accordingly,' asserted Rattan. According to Rattan, just as weight training is essential for those over 40 to maintain bone density and muscle mass, cardio is critical in maintaining heart and lung health and should not be neglected. 'The choice and intensity of exercise should align with an individual's goals, health status, and preferences. For example, you can participate in your first marathon at 70 years and would need your heart and lungs in good shape to do that,' said Rattan. A post shared by Lisa Ray (@lisaraniray) To build a base of cardiovascular endurance, it is recommended to exercise at an intensity where, after 10 minutes, you can still hold a conversation but need to pause occasionally to breathe. 'Over time, increasing the intensity to a level where you must pause after every sentence while talking reflects a higher intensity, closer to vigorous exercise, which can further improve cardiovascular fitness,' said Rattan. Tailoring the intensity and type of exercise to individual fitness levels and health conditions is essential. To ensure safety and appropriateness, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Woman who dropped 25 kilos in a year shares 6 unpopular weight loss tips for drastic transformation
Mahtab Ekay, a fitness coach, underwent a remarkable transformation, losing 25 kilos in just one year. She regularly shares glimpses of her weight loss journey along with practical diet and workout tips on Instagram to inspire her followers. On June 8, Mahtab posted weight loss tips designed to help shed those extra kilos more effectively. A post shared by Mahtab Ekay | Online Fitness Coach (@fitbymahtab) It always works. But your age, genetics, or hormones might make it harder to create a deficit, they don't cancel it. Don't give up, girl. It's just a matter of understanding your maintenance calories and adjusting from there. Also read | Man who dropped from 140 kg to 78 kg shares weight loss secrets: 'I cut out all processed carbs, stuck to water and tea' It also has fiber, water, and nutrients your body needs. Be mindful with higher-calorie fruits like mangoes or bananas, but overall, fruit is a fantastic part of fat loss. Add watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, apples to the diet. Start your morning with 30g+ of protein before 10 a.m. If you're always on the go, turn your morning coffee into a protein coffee. Drink half of your bodyweight in ounces of water. Increase your fiber intake from 25g to 45–60g/day. This can help with bloating and constipation. However, you need to test and find what works best for you. Focus on training each muscle group at least 2x/week with a structured lifting plant and track your lifts for progressive overload. Progress isn't just heavier weights, it can be better form, slower tempo, or more sets/reps. You won't hit new numbers every week and that's okay. What matters is trying to beat something from last session, even if it's small. They're high in fiber and help with fullness, slower digestion, and more stable blood sugar which means fewer cravings later in the day. Also read | Woman who lost 55 kg without dieting reveals what she eats in a day to maintain the weight: 'I finally began to heal' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Elderly & kids with adenovirus history at greater Cov risk: Docs
Kolkata: The elderly with comorbidities, and children, especially those who suffered an adenovirus infection over the last three years, may be vulnerable to the existing Covid strains affecting many across Kolkata, said pulmonologists. Many of these patients suffer from associated respiratory illnesses, like recurring bouts of asthma, frequent bronchitis, COPD, or respiratory distress triggered by chest infections, and are at a greater risk of getting Covid. Children and the elderly form the bulk of Covid patients now admitted across city hospitals. While previously adenovirus-triggered pneumonia or respiratory tract infections would be cured without long-term impact, a large number of those affected since the pandemic experienced recurring infections that suggest a long-term impact, pulmonologists said. A reason could be that immunity against non-Covid viruses dropped sharply post-pandemic, according to CMRI Hospital pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "Since Covid left no room for other viruses, like rhinovirus, meta-pneumo virus, influenza viruses, and other upper respiratory viruses, for almost three years, immunity against these dropped. Also, since people remained at home, infection spread was minimized. Naturally, when these viruses returned post-Covid, the infection they caused was more severe due to the lower resistance. About 5% of these patients have a lasting scar on their lungs, but now we have come back to the previous immunity level," Dhar said. Kolkata experienced a major adenovirus outbreak during the winter of 2022-23, when thousands, mostly children, were affected. "Many of these children have recurring infections, though mild. But the infection has been more severe post-Covid. We saw many deaths during the 2022-23 outbreak that resulted from a more severe and prolonged infection than before. Also, cough, breathing distress, and fever have been recurring frequently among these children over the last two years. Many have required hospitalisation and steroids to recover," said paediatrician Shantanu Ray. RN Tagore Hospital intensivist Sauren Panja said, "The lasting and more severe impact of post-Covid respiratory infections, including adenovirus, might be due to immunological changes in our system during Covid or alterations in the adenovirus strain. There were a couple of major adenovirus outbreaks after Covid, and those infected have turned more susceptible to respiratory disorders, like cough and cold, breathing distress, nasal blockages, frequent bouts of asthma, or COPD. For a section of these patients, these are also triggered by the trauma and mental scars left by Covid." Those affected have been suffering from frequent lung infections, exacerbations of asthma and COPD, and respiratory tract infections, said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta, adding: "These are also being triggered by frequent temperature fluctuations, since the mercury has been on a see-saw ride since last month. So, those who had an adenovirus infection need to be careful. Children have a smaller respiratory tract that saves them from long-term impact. So, while it has been affecting both children and the elderly, it hasn't led to permanent scars or lung fibrosis in most cases." "The elderly, who had adenovirus during that period, too, have turned more vulnerable to COPD, asthma, or respiratory tract infections. While some have fibrosis, though not acute, their resistance has dropped," said Panja.
