Latest news with #Damman
San Francisco Chronicle
29-04-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why doctors say the viral ‘fart walk' trend is actually good for you
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.'
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What is fart walk? Doctors ‘totally support' the new secret to healthy aging
In a new surprising claim, doctors have stated that 'farting on the street' after eating can enhance long-term health. Dr. Tim Tiutan, a specialist in internal medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, 'crop dusting' the patio or boardwalk assists in improving digestive health. In an Instagram Reel, he clarified that strolling after meals actually promotes intestinal motility, or the motion of intestines to eliminate gas and avoid constipation. According to Tiutan, walking can reduce the incidence of cancer, increase insulin hormone regulation, and avoid blood sugar rises. He declared, 'I totally support fart walks.' Reacting to his video, one X user said: 'If you are farting after every meal, something isn't agreeing with you and you should probably figure that out.' 'Does walking help with Type 1 blood sugar issues? Hasn't seemed to help my hubs.. what will?' Also Read: Diabetes warning: Know how stress can affect your blood sugar levels; doctor shares tips to manage A post shared by Dr. Tim Tiutan | Internal Medicine (@ The food that we consume and the digestive process lead to flatulence. Exercise can facilitate the body's normal mechanism of moving stool through the intestines. Dr. Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist who works at the University of Washington Medical Center's Digestive Health Center, 'the bowel does move well on its own, but it moves better when you move,' the Independent reported. Damman further explained that body movement stimulates and open up bowels. 'Whether or not you'd rather pass the gas while you're outdoors or inside or exercising or not, that is your prerogative.' Following a meal, the sugars in the food instantly raise the blood sugar levels of the eaters. Additionally, skipping breakfast might raise blood sugar levels after lunch and dinner. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, may take place when the body fails to generate sufficient insulin or does not react to insulin as it should. According to Yale Medicine, if the disorder is left untreated, it can result in major complications such as kidney issues, heart disease, and eye impairment. Previous research has indicated that exercising just after meals may be 'disproportionately beneficial to regulating blood sugar levels,' Damman concluded.
