It turns out your farts could actually be saving your partner's life

A study was conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter to determine the kind of impact on the health that comes from smelling the gas emitted from our loved ones–yes, we're talking about their farts.

A naturally occurring medicine in the body

As bizarre as it may sound, that cheeky fart were often ashamed to let out could be the key to living a long and healthy life. A study published in the journal Medicinal Chemistry Communications claims that cellular exposure to small amounts of the hydrogen sulphide–a gas found in fart–can prevent mitochondrial damage which has many health implications.

Researchers believe that exposure to small amounts of the gas has many positive health implications.

Dr. Mark Wood explains:

Although hydrogen sulphide 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.

According to Wood, the gas present in farts could also reduce the risk of many fatal diseases and conditions like cancers, heart attacks, and strokes.

A discovery that could launch a new kind of treatment

The university team believes that this discovery could actually lead to new forms of therapy as it ensures that the body keeps a sufficient level of hydrogen sulphide. They believe that the key lies in targeting specific cells with a compound consisting of the gas.

When cells become stressed by disease, they draw in enzymes to generate minute quantities of hydrogen sulphide. 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. 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 catch yourself holding in a fart, let it go... for the good of your health!

Check out the video above for more on this surprising study!