Nope, no hoax here folks. Smelling farts can actually prevent cancer plus other diseases according to actual scientists from the University of Exeter.
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“Although hydrogen sulfide gas”—produced when bacteria breaks down food—”is well known as a pungent, foul-smelling gas in rotten eggs and flatulence, it is naturally produced in the body and could in fact be a healthcare hero with significant implications for future therapies for a variety of diseases,” Dr. Mark Wood said in a university release.
The stinky gas can be noxious in large doses though. But a whiff here, and a whiff there, well, this may have the power to reduce risks of cancer, strokes, heart attacks, arthritis and even dementia as it preserves mitochondria.
So beneficial this could be, researches are actually trying to come up with their own compound to mimic the foul smelling health benefits.
“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,” Professor Matt Whiteman, of the University of Exeter Medical School said. “Our results indicate that if stressed cells are treated with AP39, mitochondria are protected and cells stay alive.”
So rather than be disgusted and offended next time the guy next to you let’s one loose, turn to him and give thanks. You won’t have to scarf down that horrible green smoothie, as you just received your cancer prevention for the day!
Sources: Time.com, University of Exeter, Western Daily Press. The study was published in the journal Medicinal Chemistry Communications.