Yes, Farts Are Actually Flammable (Here's the Science)

You've probably heard rumors about lighting farts on fire. Maybe you've even seen it done (please don't try this at home). But is there actual science behind the pyrotechnics, or is it just internet folklore? Turns out, your digestive system is basically a tiny gas factory producing legitimately flammable fuel.

Farts contain hydrogen and methane—two highly combustible gases produced when gut bacteria break down undigested food. When these gases meet oxygen and an ignition source, you get a flame. It's basic chemistry, just happening in the most undignified way possible.

Not All Farts Are Created Equal

Here's where it gets interesting: only 30-60% of people produce methane-rich flatulence. Whether you're a methane producer depends entirely on your unique gut bacteria composition and diet. If your intestinal ecosystem doesn't host methane-producing microbes, your farts won't light no matter how hard you try.

The typical fart contains:

• Nitrogen (20-90%): Swallowed air that passes through unabsorbed
• Hydrogen (0-50%): Produced by bacterial fermentation
• Carbon dioxide: Another bacterial byproduct
• Methane (0-30%): Present in varying amounts depending on your gut bacteria
• Trace sulfur compounds: The stuff that makes them smell terrible

The Color of the Flame Tells a Story

Blue flames indicate higher methane content, while yellow or orange suggests more hydrogen is burning. It's like a diagnostic tool for your digestive chemistry, except completely useless for medical purposes.

For ignition to occur, you need three elements: fuel (the hydrogen and methane), oxygen from the air, and an ignition source. The flammable gases make up enough of the mixture in some cases to create a visible flame, though the nitrogen and carbon dioxide dilute the effect.

Why Your Body Makes Flammable Gas

This isn't some evolutionary prank. When gut bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrates, fiber, and other food components, they produce these gases as metabolic waste. Foods high in fiber, certain sugars, and complex carbohydrates tend to increase gas production.

The bacteria are just doing their job breaking down what your stomach and small intestine couldn't handle. The flammable byproducts are purely coincidental—a quirk of chemistry that happens to be highly entertaining.

So yes, farts are genuinely flammable. Just because you can set them on fire doesn't mean you should, but at least now you know there's legitimate science backing up one of humanity's oldest party tricks.