Why your digestive gases are mostly non-flammable nitrogen

The Truth About Your Flammable Flatulence · 5:17 · Video: Today I Found Out · Watch at the source

In short: This video explores the chemical composition of human flatulence, explaining why much of what we expel is actually an inert gas that cannot catch fire.

Human gas is primarily produced through two processes: the swallowing of air and the digestion of food. When air is swallowed, it introduces nitrogen and oxygen into the digestive tract. While the body mostly, if not fully, absorbs the oxygen, the nitrogen passes through the system unimpeded.

Because nitrogen is not flammable, it constitutes a major component of typical gaseous rear expulsions. This is consistent with the Earth's atmosphere, which is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen.

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