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Hydrogen Sulfide That Smells Like Rotten Eggs (Or Farts) Could Be Good For Your Health: Study

A Good Reason To Fart Near Someone Today.. Sort Of
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It's the kind of health advice you never, ever, expect to hear.

According to a recent study out of the University of Exeter, small doses of hydrogen sulfide (which smells like rotten eggs and farts) here and there may have some health benefits. Large doses, mind you, can be toxic.

Scientists have designed a compound called AP39 with hydrogen sulfide they believe can hold the key to future therapies and the well-being of people with health issues that range from diabetes to stroke to dementia. Basically, they found the compound protected mitochondria, the powerhouse of all cells in the human body.

According to researchers, when cells in our bodies are diseased, they draw in enzymes to generate small amounts of hydrogen sulfide to help them live. If this doesn't happen, the cell dies.

"We have exploited this natural process by making a compound 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," professor Matt Whiteman the University of Exeter Medical School said in a statement.

This sulfide is naturally made when bacteria breaks down food in our bodies, Whiteman adds, and is also released when we fart — which is why our farts are stinky. Certain foods also impact how bad your farts may smell, notes AskMen.com.

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