'Fart Smelling Research' Doesn't Smell Right? That's Because It Isn't

CORRECTION - This article was originally published containing false and misleading information. The original article stated that a study had found that smelling the farts of your partner - husband, wife or other - helped you live longer and reduced the risk of cancer. This is not true. It is an old study on the compound AP39, which contains hydrogen sulfide - which is also in farts - and has been presented as if the benefits of smelling flatulence. The researchers have also denied that their study shows any health benefits from inhaling flatulence or that it can reduce the chances of cancer.

There are plenty of things that can make us laugh in a relationship, though nothing invokes quite so many guffaws as the act known as the 'Dutch oven'.

A simple yet effective wind-up method, the offender simply rips a mean, ponging fart in bed, before tactically wafting and simultaneously pulling the duvet over their partner's head.

Weirdly, we tend to be less repulsed by the scent of our own flatulence, but effectively hotboxing your partner with its potent nature provides all-round great fun - an old-skool pranking classic.

via GIPHY

As much as they like to complain about it, though, researchers at the University of Exeter have found that it could actually be good for your partner to inhale your stench.

One of the researchers, Dr. Mark Wood, said: "Although hydrogen sulfide 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."

Hydrogen sulfide is one of the gases released that provides farts with their God-awful smell, but also gives them various health benefits.

Researchers found that the microbial byproduct can actually reduce the risk of various life threatening illnesses like cancer, heart attacks and strokes, as well as preventing arthritis and dementia in old age, as well as helping to preserve mitochondria, which drives energy production in blood vessel cells and regulate inflammation.

For your enjoyment, here's the perfect fart, also known as 'Loz's magnificent seven-tone fart symphony'.

"When cells become stressed by disease, they draw in enzymes to generate minute quantities of hydrogen sulfide," said Professor Matt Whiteman, from the University of Exeter's medical school.

"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."

To make sure the body retains and produces the right amount of hydrogen sulfide, the researchers created a compound known as AP39.

Whiteman added: "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 you stink out the bedroom and you get an earful, you can tell your other half that you're actually doing it to benefit them, then do it some more. Cupcake them, if you really care about them.

Topics: World News, uk news, US News, Health

Mark McGowan

Mark is a journalist at LADbible, who joined in 2015 after a year as a freelance writer. In the past he blogged for independent football fan channel Redmen TV, after graduating from Staffordshire University with degrees in journalism and English literature. He has worked on campaigns such as UOKM8? and IIOC.