Certain Farts Can Prevent Cancer, Strokes and Dementia Say Scientists?!

No that isn’t a typo in the title, a team of scientists are proving once again that they have a little too much time on their hands, but on the plus side, perhaps something good came out of their research. According to scientists at Exeter University, the smell of flatulence could help avoid cancer, strokes, dementia and even heart attacks! While not exclusively related to breaking wind, their research is more focused on the way our body reacts to certain gasses.

Hydrogen Sulfide is one of the gases produced by bacteria as it breaks down food in the guy, for the most part it’s actually toxic in large doses, but the amount created in our bodies is enough to actually help protect cells and fight illness.

Check out the statement below from Professor Matt Whiteman from the University of Exeter Medical School.

“When cells become stressed by disease, they draw in enzymes to generate minute quantities of hydrogen sulfide. This keeps the mitochondria ticking over and allows cells to live. If this doesn’t happen, the cells die and lose the ability to regulate survival and control inflammation.

We have exploited this natural process by making a compound, called AP39, which slowly delivers very small amounts of this gas specifically to the mitochondria.

Our results indicate that if stressed cells are treated with AP39, mitochondria are protected and cells stay alive.”

So next time someone throws you a look of disgust for dropping one, just let them know you’re trying to save them from cancer.

Thank you Gizmodo for providing us with this information.