Every year, as soon as the weather warms up and people start thinking about getting in shape, a fresh batch of fitness myths makes the rounds. One that refuses to die is the idea that farting burns calories, and that the more you do it, the faster you'll slim down.
Here's the short answer: no, farting does not burn 67 calories, and it won't help you lose weight. Passing gas does have genuine benefits, but trimming your waistline isn't one of them. Let's clear it up properly.
Does Farting Burn 67 Calories?
The specific “67 calories per fart” figure has been floating around social media for years, popularised by fitness influencers who claimed that breaking wind torches calories the way a short jog would. It was never based on real science. Fact-checkers, including Snopes, traced the claim and found no credible source behind the number. It appears to have started as a misreading or a bit of internet invention that simply went viral.
Think about the mechanics for a moment. When you fart, your body passively releases gas as a sphincter muscle relaxes. That's it. Your body burns calories through movement, muscle contraction, digestion, and ongoing metabolic processes. Passively letting gas escape doesn't meaningfully involve any of those. There's no world in which it matches the energy cost of jogging for ten minutes.
But Farting Makes Me Feel Lighter
It does, and there's a real explanation for that.
When trapped gas is released, bloating eases, your abdomen feels less distended, and you genuinely feel more comfortable. That lighter sensation is real. What it isn't, is weight loss. The number on the scale hasn't moved because you passed gas. The discomfort simply went away.
Bloating can make you feel heavier and more sluggish than you actually are, which is almost certainly where the confusion began. Relief from bloating feels like progress, even though nothing about your body fat has changed.
Do You Fart More When Losing Weight?
You might, and again the reason has nothing to do with the gas itself. When you set out to lose weight, you usually change what you eat, and your digestive system has to adjust.
A few common culprits:
- More fibre. Adding vegetables, beans, and whole grains feeds your gut bacteria, which naturally produces more gas as they adapt.
- Protein supplements. Introducing protein powder, especially in large amounts before your stomach is used to it, can cause bloating and wind. If that sounds familiar, our guide on how many protein shakes you should have a dayhelps you find a sensible amount.
- Dietary changes in general. New foods, more frequent meals, and increased caffeine can all temporarily upset your digestion while your body adapts.
So extra trips to the bathroom during a diet are a side effect of your new eating habits, not evidence that gas is melting fat away.
So What Actually Burns Calories?
Since the real goal behind this question is usually weight loss, here's where to actually put your energy. Your body burns calories through your resting metabolism, the food you digest, and, crucially, the activity you do. That's why the dependable route to fat loss is a modest calorie deficit combined with regular movement.
You don't need anything exotic to start. Consistent walking, some form of cardio you actually enjoy, and a couple of strength sessions a week will do far more than any gimmick. Build the habit, eat sensibly, and the results come.
Does farting burn any calories at all?
The amount is so small it's effectively zero. Any trivial muscle involvement is negligible and nothing like the calorie burn of genuine exercise.
Is farting good for you?
Yes, in the sense that it's a normal, healthy part of digestion and relieves bloating and discomfort. Holding it in regularly can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
Will I lose weight if I fart more?
No. Farting more often during a diet is a sign your digestion is adjusting to new foods, not a sign you're burning fat.
What's the healthiest way to lose weight?
A sustainable calorie deficit through balanced eating, paired with regular exercise that mixes movement and some resistance training. Slow and steady beats any shortcut.
The Bottom Line
Don't believe everything you read online, and definitely don't count on farting to lose weight, because it simply won't. Passing gas is great for relieving bloating and is a normal part of healthy digestion, so do it for those reasons and nothing more.
If weight loss is your goal, skip the shortcuts and the gimmicks. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and a bit of patience will always outperform the latest viral myth.
