How many times should you poop everyday and when should you be worried?

However gross it may be; pooping is a necessity of life that one cannot ignore just like going to toilet to pee.

Your poop can tell you a lot about your health. It can indicate if you're getting enough fibre and water in your diet, as well as whether your digestive tract is processing food too rapidly or too slowly.

Additionally, persistent changes in bowel habits or the nature of your excrement may indicate a medical ailment that has to be treated.

How many times should you poo?

While there is no general rule on how often one should poop in a day, Healthline suggests that anywhere between three bowel movements a day to three bowel movements a week can be normal for a person.

Consistency of a person’s bowel movement is an indicator of their overall health and if someone doesn’t poop enough then it may indicate severe health problems.

Most people have a regular bowel pattern. Meaning, they go the same number of times every day and usually at a similar time. According to a survey of more than 2000 people conducted by Healthline, almost 50% of them pooped once a day and almost 28% fell under the category of twice a day.

Here's everything that affects your bowel movements

Bowel movement allows you to empty your waste from your body to make it function better. Several factors affect your bowel movements, from their frequency to consistency and colour. Here are some factors that affect it:

Diet

Soluble and insoluble forms of whole grains, vegetables and fruits help your poop to stay consistent and should be an essential part of your diet.

Age

The older you get, the more likely that you will be constipated. Factors like reduced mobility, medications or gastric issues all affect your bowel movement in old age.

Lifestyle

If you have an active lifestyle, your bowel movement will be just right for your age. Factors like travel and stress can also alter the number of times you poo a day.

When should you be worried about your bowel movements?

Given that there are several factors that affect your bowel habits, as long as they are regular there is not much to worry about.

However if you are consistently pooping right after eating a meal, it could be a cause for concern. Moreover, if a change in bowel movements are accompanied with other symptoms, you should seek advice from a doctor.

Read more:

⋙ How many times you poop a day could tell you a lot about your brain's health

⋙ Constipation while travelling: Here's how to prevent stubborn poo during your holiday

⋙ Here’s why you shouldn’t wipe more than three times after pooping

Sources used:

Healthline: How many times should you poop a day?

Healthline: Why do I poop so much?