No, really. There’s no typo in that headline. Fart walks are trending, and there’s reason to believe the activity comes with multiple health benefits.
What Is a Fart Walk?
The term “fart walk” was coined by cookbook author Mairlyn Smith in a viral post on the Tiktok social media platform. It’s simple: About an hour after eating dinner, Smith and her husband take a walk to lower blood sugar and get things ‘moving,’ so to speak.
According to Smith, the muscle contractions from a 2-20-minute walk after eating can “help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.”
She continues: “It’s the physical action of moving that increases the glucose uptake from your blood into your muscles — which reduces how much insulin your body needs to produce.”
Chris Damman, gastroenterologist and microbiome researcher at the University of Washington, confirms this is a true benefit of post-meal walks. When we move our muscles, he told NPR, they “…become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream.”
The Science Is Sound
Multiple studies have found this to be true in humans, though said studies did not add the family pet to the mix. At the end of the day, the benefits of walking your dog add up, so why not include them on your toot trek?
Whether or not your bring Fido long for the post-meal stroll, other benefits of such physical activity post-dinner include:
- getting the digestive system flowing
- stimulates the bowels
- regulating blood sugar levels
- prevent constipation
- reduce bloating and acid reflux
- lower risk of prediabetes and diabetes over time
- healthier gut microbiome
A simple brisk walk can do wonders for you (and your dog’s!) gut health and well-being.
Post-Meal Flatulence
If your dinner featured a lot of fiber-rich foods, then being gassy later is inevitable. Fart walks promote gastrointestinal health by support a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced gut may lead to less frequent gas buildup over time.
And it’s 100% normal! To pass gas after a meal signals your body is working just as it should.
Take Your Dog on Your Fart Walk
Fart walks are a lighthearted way to focus on our physical health while embracing the quirks of being human. Your dog won’t judge you—in fact, they sure hope you bring them along! Promote health and strengthen your bond with walkies each day.
NPR. 2024. “Why You Should Take a ‘Fart Walk’ after a Meal.” NPR. December 12, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/12/12/1218737982/fart-walk-after-eating.
“Feeling Stuffed after a Big Meal? Don’t Flop on the Sofa, Take a Walk.” 2024. NPR. November 27, 2024. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/27/nx-s1-5195581/thanksgiving-health-sleep-diet-fart-walk-turkey.
DiPietro, Loretta, Andrei Gribok, Michelle S. Stevens, Larry F. Hamm, and William Rumpler. “Three 15-Min Bouts of Moderate Postmeal Walking Significantly Improves 24-H Glycemic Control in Older People at Risk for Impaired Glucose Tolerance.” Diabetes Care 36, no. 10 (September 14, 2013): 3262–68. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-0084.
Buffey, Aidan J., Matthew P. Herring, Christina K. Langley, Alan E. Donnelly, and Brian P. Carson. 2022. “The Acute Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting Time in Adults with Standing and Light-Intensity Walking on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Sports Medicine 52 (February). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01649-4.