The frequency of your bowel movements says a lot about your health, here are the figures to know according to a study
This is a very personal question, and it's unlikely you'll be asked it regularly. Even at the doctor's office, aside from some specific diagnostic research or if you put your doctor on the right track, it's rather rare. Wrong? At least, that's what the results of studies conducted in recent years seem to indicate.
This question is pretty straightforward and straightforward: "How often do you poop?" It's worth giving it a few seconds of thought, as your answer could reveal a lot about your overall health. This is particularly suggested by a study published in July 2024, which examined the bowel movements of 1,425 people and compared it to their demographic, genetic, and health data.
In constipated people, researchers observed an increase in toxins in the bloodstream, which can affect the kidneys. "When stool remains in the intestine for too long, microbes deplete the available fiber and ferment proteins instead, producing several toxins that can enter the bloodstream," explains Johannes Johnson-Martinez, a bioengineer at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the institute that conducted and collected the results of this study. And the others?
Conversely, people with diarrhea showed signs of inflammation and liver damage due to excess bile acid, which the liver must recycle. Their blood samples showed biomarkers associated with liver damage. Ultimately, the researchers classified the participants into four categories:
- constipation (one to two stools per week),
- normal-low (three to six stools per week),
- normal-high (one to three stools per day)
- and diarrhea (more than four loose stools per day).
While your bowel movements may fluctuate, these numbers can help you gauge your bowel movements. The study found that the ideal frequency falls within a specific zone known as the "golden zone," or one to three bowel movements per day. Their stool samples contained high levels of bacteria associated with fiber fermentation.
It would therefore be preferable to go to the bathroom once or twice a day for major needs. By studying the participants' lifestyles, the researchers made another observation: "Eating more fruits and vegetables was the most important signal" observed in people with regular bowel movements. Water consumption and regular exercise also play a role. Participants in this category reported eating more fiber, drinking more water, and exercising more.
"This study shows how bowel movement frequency can influence every system in the body, and how abnormal bowel movement frequency can be a significant risk factor in the development of chronic diseases," concludes Sean Gibbons, a microbiologist at the University of Washington and corresponding author of the report published in Cell Medicine Report. If you experience significant fluctuations, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can help you identify the causes and suggest appropriate solutions.
L'Internaute
