It takes a lot for your relationship to survive after your girlfriend lets the puppy of its leash in front of you. It might even scar you for life. But turns out she could be doing you a favour: Smelling your partner's farts will make you live longer, reveal scientists.
Research published in the journal of Medicinal Chemistry Communications studied the effects of the gas hydrogen sulfide - the very same substance that leaves your rear end.
Scientists found that exposure to the gasses can stave off mitochondrial damage - a cause for multiple health problems.
"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," says researcher Dr Mark Wood from the University of Exerter .
The study suggests that the toxic winds your letting off can also research illnesses such as cancer, stroke and heart attacks while preventing arthritis and dementia in old age.
"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," says Professor Matt Whiteman who resides at the University's medical school.
So next time your partner lets one off, you might be tempted to suck in a few big ones...or you could just smell some rotten eggs ( probably the more hygienic option.) If you are wondering why your farts are smelling so bad, find out more here.
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