A recent study found that bowel movement frequency can influence overall health, with those who poop once or twice a day showing lower risk of chronic diseases. Researchers analyzed data from 1,425 people and discovered associations between bowel movement frequency and various health markers, including genetics, gut microbes, and blood chemistry.
In the study, participants were categorized into four groups based on their bowel movement frequency: constipation (one or two times a week), low-normal (three to six times a week), high-normal (once to three times a day), and diarrhea (four or more times a day). Those with less frequent bowel movements tended to be women, younger, and with lower body mass index. However, even accounting for these factors, people with constipation or diarrhea showed clear links to underlying health issues.
The researchers found that participants with diarrhea had higher levels of bacteria associated with protein fermentation in their stool samples, which can lead to liver damage and kidney problems. In contrast, those who pooped once or twice a day showed high levels of bacteria associated with fermenting fiber, which may indicate better overall health.
The study suggests that bowel movement frequency can be an important risk factor for chronic diseases and that optimizing this habit could inform strategies for managing health and wellness. While individual variations are normal, the research highlights the importance of paying attention to everyday habits and how they might hint at underlying health issues.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/your-poop-schedule-says-a-lot-about-your-overall-health-suggests-study