What is 'Fart Walk' and why should you try it? Doctors reveal surprising weight loss and digestive benefits

Time of India

01-05-2025

A new wellness trend with a humorous title, 'fart walk,' is gaining traction across social media—and now, it's receiving firm backing from medical professionals. Despite the cheeky name, this habit centers around taking a light walk shortly after meals, and experts say the practice offers serious health benefits, particularly for digestion and metabolic health.
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Origin of the Trend
The term "fart walk" was popularized by Mairlyn Smith, a 70-year-old Canadian author and
gut health
advocate. She and her husband began walking after dinner over a decade ago to relieve gas and support digestion. In a widely viewed Instagram post, Smith described how their fiber-rich diet often caused bloating, which led them to start nightly walks to alleviate discomfort. 'We walked, cue the farts, and the legendary fart walk was born,' she shared.
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Her candid approach to post-meal movement resonated with many, turning the once-personal routine into a widely discussed wellness habit.
Digestive and Metabolic Benefits
Medical professionals have confirmed the digestive advantages of post-meal walks. Dr. Tim Tiutan, an internal medicine specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, stated that light movement after eating helps the intestines process gas and promotes regular bowel activity. He emphasized that walking stimulates intestinal motility, reducing the risk of constipation and bloating.
Beyond digestion, the practice appears to have significant metabolic effects. Dr. Tiutan noted that walking after a meal can prevent sharp increases in blood sugar and even improve insulin sensitivity for up to 24 hours. This can be especially important for aging adults or those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist at the University of Washington Medical Center, also supported the trend, highlighting the importance of timing. According to him, 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,' he said.
Weight Management and Heart Health
While a fart walk is not an intense workout, consistent post-meal movement contributes to calorie burning and metabolic activity. Over time, this helps maintain a healthy weight. A Japanese study found that walking shortly after meals resulted in greater weight loss than walking an hour later.
Additionally, there are cardiovascular benefits. Walking raises the heart rate, improves blood flow, and supports heart function. The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as brisk walking, which aligns with this trend.
Fart walks also support better sleep. By enhancing digestion and regulating blood sugar, post-meal walks can help the body wind down more easily at night. Movement also releases endorphins, which improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Social media users have shared personal success stories, including one user who wrote that walking helps manage digestion after intestinal surgery. Another said they are gradually encouraging their children to adopt the habit after realizing how little movement most people get post-meals.
Doctors Encourage the Habit
Medical consensus continues to build around the benefits of this simple practice. Dr. Tiutan summed it up in a social media post, listing the advantages: reduced bloating, regulated blood sugar, improved bowel movement, heightened insulin sensitivity, and boosted metabolism. He concluded with full support: 'I totally support fart walks.'
Smith herself responded to his endorsement, thanking him for promoting a habit she believes can help people 'age wonderfully.' She continues to encourage her followers to embrace the practice, reminding them that the fart walk is about 'embracing a
healthy lifestyle
one step at a time.'
Despite its name, the fart walk is far from a joke. It's a doctor-supported, easy-to-implement habit that might be a valuable key to long-term wellness.