How Many Calories Do You Burn If You Fart? | Small Myth Busted

Calorie Burn From Passing Gas: Realistic Numbers

Let’s clear up the meme first. Claims that one release “torches 67 calories” trace back to internet folklore, not lab data. Flatulence is a split-second squeeze of the anal sphincter plus a small pressure shift in the rectum. That’s muscle work, sure, but it’s tiny. The energy used lands far beneath what you’d notice on a scale.

Exercise science uses METs (metabolic equivalents) to estimate energy use for activities. Sitting rests near 1–1.3 METs; light movement sits a bit higher. A brief squeeze that lasts a second or two barely nudges above rest, which makes the energy cost almost nothing. That’s why the number on a smart watch won’t budge when gas passes.

How We Can Estimate The Energy

The MET method ties oxygen use to calories. One MET equals resting energy. A short squeeze that lasts about one second, even if it spiked to twice resting for that instant, would still average to a tiny fraction of a calorie across the minute. Stack a day’s worth of releases and you still sit under a single calorie in many cases.

Table #1 — Estimated Energy Cost Of A Gas Release

The quick math below uses a simple, conservative assumption: a one-second, 2-MET blip while seated. It’s not a clinical study; it’s a sanity check that shows scale. Your body weight shifts the number slightly, yet the total stays tiny.

Body Weight	Per Event (kcal)	Per Day At ~15 Events (kcal)
50 kg (110 lb)	~0.03	~0.45
70 kg (154 lb)	~0.04	~0.60
90 kg (198 lb)	~0.05	~0.75

Daily energy planning still hinges on meals and movement. Snacks and drinks fit better once you set your daily calorie needs.

Why It Feels Like You Did Something

Relief feels noticeable because pressure drops. Bloating eases, the abdomen softens, and your belt may sit better for a moment. That comfort can trick your brain into thinking energy left the body. The scale responds only to sustained energy gaps, not split-second squeezes.

What Science Says About Everyday Gas

Most adults pass gas many times a day. Health services describe ranges that land around a dozen releases daily. If odor or frequency changes suddenly, check your routine and see a clinician if you spot red flags like pain, bleeding, fever, or unexplained weight loss. Routine gas alone isn’t a weight tool; it’s a comfort thing.

Why The “67 Calories” Rumor Took Off

Big round numbers spread fast. A claim that promises weight loss without effort hits share buttons. The problem: that number dwarfs the energy from brief pelvic floor activity by orders of magnitude. Even a slow walk for half an hour beats days of gas release.

How We Built The Estimate

This section shows the logic in plain terms so you can judge the estimate for yourself.

Step 1: Start With Resting Energy

Rest sits near 1 MET. Many health references list sitting near 1.3 METs. That gives a baseline for seated time.

Step 2: Add A One-Second Blip

A firm squeeze might reach near 2 METs for a moment. One second equals 1/60 of a minute. Energy (kcal) per minute comes from the MET formula. Multiply by 1/60 for a single second. The result is a number that rounds to the hundredths of a calorie.

Step 3: Multiply By A Day’s Releases

Even if you double the count or the squeeze length, totals stay under a calorie or two. That’s noise compared with a sandwich or a short walk.

Health Notes: Gas, Diet, And Comfort

Food choices change gas volume. Beans, onions, garlic, lentils, and some sweeteners feed gut microbes. Carbonated drinks add swallowed air. Pace, portion size, and how much air you swallow while talking or sipping all play a part.

Simple Ways To Reduce Bloating

• Eat slowly and chew well to cut down swallowed air.
• Try smaller portions of gas-heavy foods and see how you respond.
• Walk after meals to move gas along the tract.
• Skip tight waistbands that trap pressure.

When To Talk To A Clinician

See care promptly if gas pairs with pain, fever, blood in the stool, vomiting, or weight loss. New intolerance to lactose or fructans can also pop up with age or gut shifts. A registered dietitian can tailor a plan that respects your triggers.

Table #2 — What Actually Burns Energy

Here’s a compact view of light activities that outpace any gas-related burn many times over. The MET values give you a sense of how hard your body works.

Activity	Typical MET	Approx. 30-Min Burn (70 kg)
Standing, light tasks	~1.8	~65–75 kcal
Casual walking (3 km/h)	~2.0–2.5	~85–105 kcal
Brisk walking (6 km/h)	~4.0–4.5	~170–190 kcal

External References You Can Trust

For a broad view of activity energy, see Harvard’s table of calories burned in 30 minutes. For everyday gas norms and self-care, the NHS page on flatulence advice lays out plain steps and when to seek help.

Practical Takeaways For Weight Goals

Use gas relief for comfort and movement for progress. Small, repeatable actions move the needle: add five-minute walks after meals, stand during calls, and build a short strength circuit two or three days a week. Pair that with a reasonable calorie target and enough protein to stay full.

Morning routines help. A glass of water, a short walk, and a steady breakfast make the day easier to steer. If you like schedules, map a simple plan for weekdays and a looser plan for weekends. Keep portions steady across both.

Smart Ways To Track Progress

• Weigh on the same scale, same time of day, two or three times a week.
• Use a tape for waist and hip every two weeks.
• Log steps and active minutes in any free app.
• Note meals that keep you full; repeat them.

FAQs You Might Be Thinking (Without The Fluff)

Can Holding Gas Change Energy Burn?

No. Holding gas changes comfort, not calorie use. It can feel tense for a moment, then settle once you move or use the restroom.

Does A Longer Release Burn More?

Length adds a sliver, but the total still sits near zero. A one-second squeeze or a three-second squeeze both fade into the background next to normal movement.

Could Core Bracing Raise The Burn?

A deliberate brace uses more muscle than a passive release. That said, you’d need many minutes of bracing to match the burn from a short walk.

Bottom Line For Real-World Results

Comfort is good. Weight change needs an energy gap driven by food and movement. If you want a simple place to start, pick a step target and walk after meals. For a stronger morning and evening, add a protein-forward plate and plan two strength days each week.

Want steady movement without micromanaging workouts? Try a gentle step goal and track your steps with any phone or watch.