Turns out, we fart way more than we thought. And thanks to a team of researchers at the University of Maryland, we now have some high-tech underwear confirming it.
Previously, scientists estimated the average person let out about 14 farts a day. But with the help of a newly developed device — informally dubbed “Smart Underwear” — that number has been updated to about 32 times a day. That’s more than double the earlier guess.
The device, which clips onto regular underwear, uses electrochemical sensors to track gas levels and hydrogen in real time — though it interestingly can’t capture data while the person is on the toilet.
Why does this matter? Because flatulence can actually offer clues about gut health, digestion, and even mental wellness. Some studies suggest that certain gases may play a role in conditions like Alzheimer’s and postpartum depression. But still — we fart a lot, and maybe more than we’re comfortable admitting.
The team launched this project in part because past data was often inaccurate. Self-reporting can be unreliable, and older testing methods weren’t very effective. Back in 2000, a gastroenterologist known as the “King of Farts,” Dr. Michael Levitt, admitted there was no objective way to track excessive gas. That’s changed.
The researchers now hope to establish what “normal” flatulence actually looks like. Just like blood pressure and cholesterol have healthy ranges, maybe gas output should too.
We fart for many reasons — fiber intake, microbiome activity, digestion patterns — and not everyone produces the same amount. In the study, some people farted as few as four times per day, while others hit nearly 60.
To expand the research, the team is building the “Human Flatus Atlas,” a growing database that tracks fart frequency and correlates it with diet and gut bacteria. They’re looking for volunteers across the spectrum: people who rarely fart, people who fart constantly, and everyone in between.
So the next time you feel embarrassed — just remember: we fart. All of us. Some more scientifically than others.