Doctors Say Fart Walking Could Help You Live Longer

A social media trend with a funny name might actually have some serious health benefits. The “fart walk” — a light, post-meal stroll meant to help release gas — is taking off online thanks to cookbook author Marilyn Smith, who casually mentioned the practice on Instagram. While the idea sounds silly, doctors are backing it up. According to Erik Barnes, who covered the trend for Good Good Good, taking a short walk after dinner could be a simple way to boost your health.

Dr. Tim Tiutan, an internal medicine physician at New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained that a 5–10 minute walk after eating can aid digestion, prevent blood sugar spikes, and even lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. This small daily habit could also reduce the risk of some cancers and dementia. While it’s trending now, the idea isn’t new — many cultures have encouraged walking after meals for centuries. Italians have their la passeggiata, Indians practice shatapawali, and ancient Chinese wisdom says, “If you take 100 steps after each meal, you’ll live to 99.”

Other supposedly gross habits like cursing, nose picking, and even using spit as a cleaning aid also have surprising scientific Support. Still, of all these so-called “rude” behaviors, fart walking is probably the easiest (and most polite) to adopt. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy nature, stretch your legs, and reflect after a meal.

If you care about your health and the planet, consider skipping the post-dinner screen time and going for a mindful walk instead. Take a friend, leave your phone behind, and maybe make it a meatless dinner while you’re at it. The animals, your digestion, and your future self will thank you.

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