What is the best time of day to have a bowel movement?

Between 3 and 5% of adults living in Western countries suffer from chronic constipation, according to the Vidalwhich means that the symptoms – less than three bowel movements per week according to health insurance – have lasted for more than six months.

Having a bowel movement in the morning

To avoid this problem, the ideal is to have a routine for going to the bathroom. But when is the best time? “Generally, morning, shortly after waking up, is the best time to poop for most individuals.“, explains Dr. Kenneth Brown, gastroenterologist, at Eating Well.

Three factors explain this moment:

• Morning is the peak of colon activity.
• Stools accumulate at night.
• The gastrocolic reflex takes place in the morning.

“After eating or drinking, our stomach tenses, which triggers a physiological response called the gastrocolic reflex, says Dr. Kenneth Brown. This reflex stimulates the colon which contracts and moves its contents forward.”

According to Vidal, occasional constipation is more common than chronic constipation. Among the factors favoring it, there is a change in habits (diet, travel, stress, etc.), refraining from going to the toilet, taking certain medications or even the last months of pregnancy.

Good habits to avoid constipation

For people suffering from occasional constipation, health insurance recommends going to the toilet at a fixed time, not holding back, eating a balanced diet (not too sweet and fatty, with a diet rich in fiber of around 30 to 45 grams per day ideally for a good intestinal transit, according to Vidal), drink enough (at least 1.5 liters of water) and practice daily physical activity.

In case of pain, fever, blood in the stools or if you suffer from a chronic illness or are pregnant, it is better to consult your doctor quickly. Finally, if the constipated person has abdominal pain, vomits and is no longer able to pass gas, the emergency services should be called.