Why doctors say the viral ‘fart walk' trend is actually good for you

San Francisco Chronicle​

29-04-2025

It began as a joke on social media, but medical experts say there's real science behind the viral 'fart walk' wellness trend.
Coined by 70-year-old Canadian cookbook author Mairlyn Smith, the term refers to a brief stroll taken after dinner, often to relieve gas.
'Going for a 'fart walk' after dinner is something that's going to help you age wonderfully,' Smith declared in a now-viral Instagram post last year.
Since then, the hashtag #fartwalk has earned millions of views on TikTok, fueled by a mixture of humor, personal anecdotes and surprising medical support.
Though the name may raise eyebrows, the premise is rooted in an old tradition. Cultures around the world have long endorsed the post-meal stroll. In Italy, it's called la passeggiata. In China, an ancient proverb advises: ' If you take 100 steps after each meal, you'll live to 99.'
Now, modern science is catching up.
'Walking after meals does promote intestinal motility, or movement of our intestines to get rid of gas and prevent constipation,' said Dr. Tim Tiutan, an internal medicine physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in an Instagram post. 'I totally support fart walks.'
Tiutan and other physicians are publicly endorsing the practice, not just for digestive comfort but for deeper systemic benefits.
Among them: blood sugar regulation. After eating, glucose enters the bloodstream, triggering a rise in blood sugar levels. Over time, especially in those with insulin resistance or sedentary lifestyles, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
But walking, even for just five to 10 minutes, appears to blunt this spike.
'There's actually some decent literature that suggests that exercise immediately after meals can be disproportionately beneficial to regulating blood sugar levels,' said Dr. Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist at the University of Washington Medical Center.
'The bowel does move well on its own, but it moves better when you move,' Damman said.
By stimulating the bowels and accelerating stomach emptying, walking can help reduce bloating, gas, and even symptoms of acid reflux.
For patients at risk of metabolic conditions, the timing of these walks matters. Experts recommend walking within 60 minutes of a meal, when glucose absorption is at its peak. Waiting too long, said Damman, could diminish the effect.
'Going for a walk at an average to brisk pace can provide people with a tremendous health benefit,' said Dr. Alpa Patel of the American Cancer Society. 'It's free, easy, and can be done anywhere.'
It has even been shown to lower dementia risk.
Of course, walking isn't a panacea. Diet, stress levels, sleep and gut health all play major roles in long-term wellness. Persistent digestive issues should be evaluated by a doctor.
'Moving your body will help stimulate and open up your bowels,' said Damman. 'Whether or not you'd rather pass the gas while you're outdoors or inside or exercising or not, that is your prerogative.'