Passing wind 10 to 20 times a day is normal. Here is where the gas comes from, the common reasons for more, and what helps.
How much is normal
Most healthy people pass wind about 10 to 20 times a day. It tends to be more after meals and in the evening. Gas is a normal result of digestion.
Where the gas comes from
- Swallowed air: eating fast, talking while eating, chewing gum, fizzy drinks and smoking
- Fermentation: bacteria in the large bowel break down food that the small bowel did not absorb, producing gas
Common reasons for more wind
- Beans, lentils, cabbage, broccoli, onions, wholegrains and some fruit
- Sugar-free sweets and gum containing sorbitol or xylitol
- Lactose intolerance
- Constipation
- IBS, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- A sudden increase in fibre
What helps
- Eat slowly and cut down on fizzy drinks and chewing gum
- Keep a short food diary to find your triggers, then reduce rather than cut out healthy foods
- Increase fibre gradually
- Stay active; walking helps gas move through
See a doctor if the wind comes with pain, bloating that does not settle, diarrhoea, weight loss, or blood in the stool, or if your bowel habit has changed.
General information only. Reviewed by Dr Chia Chung King, 2026-11-13. Book a consultation.