Holding in wind during flights is bad for your body claims scientists who suggest flatulence-absorbing solutions Scientists are giving the all clear on in-flight flatulence due to health concerns while suggesting flatulence-absorbing alternatives from blankets to seat cushions for masking the smell. In a study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal the team of British and Danish gastroenterologists warn that restraining gas could cause health problems and in the pilot's case could 'affect his abilities to control the airplane.' They recommend that airline passengers break wind freely no matter the close proximity to others while reasoning that high altitude air pressure dramatically adds to the build-up of bodily gases which could prove harmful. Let it rip: A group of gastroenterologists are encouraging airline passengers to break wind as a benefit to their health (file photo) Dangers: For pilots they warn of a catch-22 with their ability to control the airplane potentially affected if holding it in but also a distraction to others in the cockpit (file photo) '[Not releasing] holds significant drawbacks for the individual, such as discomfort and even pain, bloating, dyspepsia (indigestion), pyrosis (heartburn) just to name but a few resulting abdominal symptoms,' they write. There is actually only one reasonable solution ... just let it go. Further inflating their fears, the gastroenterologists warn that pilots could ultimately create the greatest danger by holding it in - and in a catch-22 - as well as releasing. 'If the pilot restrains a fart, all the drawbacks previously mentioned, including diminished concentration, may affect his abilities to control the airplane,' the researchers say. Solutions: For helping mask the stench they recommend everything from odor-absorbing blankets and seat cushions to custom-made underwear (file photo) The Average person breaks wind about 10 times a day Women's smell worse than men's No evidence that one sex farts more than the other Strengthening the pelvic ring would make release more silent If he lets go of the fart his co-pilot may be affected by its odour, which again reduces safety on board the flight. Their recommendation comes compete with creative solutions for masking potentially foul smells. 'We humbly propose that active charcoal should be embedded in the seat cushion, since this material is able to neutralise the odour,' they write as one option. They say charcoal in passengers' underwear could also work as an alternative, as well as blankets designed to absorb the smell. In an 'extreme' measure, passengers could also wear rubber pants complete with a vapor-collecting air bag. The report by the male scientists - Hans Christian Pommergaard, Jakob Burcharth, Anders Fischer, William Thomas and Jacob Rosenberg - also claims women's farts smell worse than men and also found no evidence to claim one sex farts more than the other. They add that the average person breaks wind about 10 times a day and that exercising the pelvic ring would help do it silently. For those with a weak pelvic floor they suggest decoys such as coughing, sneezing and verbal outbreaks.