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Flatulence contains nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. These are created by the fermentation of undigested foods such as bean skins and veegtable fiber. The hydrogen sulfide and other compounds (mercaptan, butyric acid and carbonyl sulfide) make the released gases smell bad. Humans actually expel little methane compared to ruminants such as cows and sheep.

It's possible that the "bad" smell -- human's normal reluctance to deal with feces, etc. is evolutionary. The individuals repelled by this remain healthier, etc.

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9y ago

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