Why "fart walks" after meals are good for you, experts say

Catch up quick: Cookbook author Mairlyn Smith has promoted "fart walks" on social media as a way to boost health and help pass gas after eating fiber-rich meals — and the hashtag has been catching on.

What they're saying: Research suggests that walking within about an hour of eating can help regulate blood sugar levels, preventing blood sugar spikes that over time can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes, Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist and associate professor in the UW School of Medicine, said in a recent blog post.

• "Some studies have suggested even just five minutes of getting your heart rate up — going for a stroll around the neighborhood, doing some jumping jacks — is sufficient to blunt the post-meal spike in blood sugar levels," Damman said.
• Eating whole foods that are high in fiber can also help regulate blood sugar levels.
• But those foods in turn can produce a lot of gas, "making those fart walks even more crucial," the UW says on its blog.

The bottom line: Fart walks have real benefits — just mind who may be walking behind you.