Raleigh, North Carolina - Eight out of 10 people admit to breaking wind every day and the flatulence is "associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress," according to a new survey.

Other face-reddening "gas-related symptoms," such as stomach-rumbling and burping, were reported by more than half of the nearly 6,000 people surveyed in Britain, Mexico, and the US, according to the findings.

Only 48% of people surveyed said they had bad breath, with around the same as the percentage saying they suffered from trapped wind. Only 11% reported having no gas-related symptoms at all.

The researchers also sought interviewees' responses on body mass index, exercise, "emotional well-being," and quality of life.

According to lead author Olafur Palsson of the University of North Carolina's Department of Medicine, the findings show "having a high amount of these common intestinal symptoms is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as impaired general quality of life."

"The data also clearly reveals that these symptoms affect people’s general wellbeing," he said.

The findings are to be presented at UEG Week, an October 3-5 conference in Vienna and run by United European Gastroenterology, a "professional non-profit organization combining all the leading European medical specialist and national societies focusing on digestive health."

The survey was carried out by the Research Institute of the Rome Foundation in Raleigh, North Carolina, in collaboration with Danone Nutricia Research in France.