Friday, November 22

What is the healthy frequency with which to have a bowel movement?


Drinking coffee on an empty stomach may promote the need to go to the bathroom

¿Cuál es la frecuencia saludable con la que se debe evacuar?
If you have trouble going to the bathroom regularly, you are likely suffering from constipation.

Photo: Shutterstock

Evacuations are as necessary and important as urination, since both are ways in which our body frees itself of waste. As indicated in Take Care Plus , having a healthy frequency for bowel movements is related to our health and digestion .

Angela Quintas, Bachelor of Chemical Sciences and Master in Dietetics and Human Nutrition, indicates that we should evacuate 3 times throughout the week and that, when this does not happen, it is most likely due to a case of constipation .

How often should we evacuate?

According to Quintas, evacuating three times a day or three times a week falls within the normal parameters , and if the amount of our stools is less than this, that will indicate that we suffer from constipation.

According to the specialist, the solution to being constipated is not the use of e laxatives, and that because it can cause malabsorption of fundamental nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins, iron or calcium.

First of all, according to Quintas, we should measure our fiber and fluid intake. If we increase our fiber intake per day , the stools will be less time in the colon, and they will have a greater volume.

Said increase in fiber intake should be done gradually to avoid gas formation . In this scenario, it is important to make progressive adjustments to our diet so that the increase in fiber intake does not happen suddenly.

Playing sports is another way to avoid constipation, along with with the consumption of water and fibrous foods. This activates the body and encourages a bowel movement, making bowel movements easier .

digestión
Try to consume fiber as this will help your intestinal health. Source: Shutterstock

Tips to improve intestinal health

Quintas offers a series of additional recommendations for us to enjoy optimal intestinal health . These recommendations are:

  • Avoid the abuse of drugs such as anti-inflammatories, cortisone, acetylsalicylic acid and proton pump inhibitors.
  • Take antibiotics only when strictly necessary.
  • Do not forget to include fiber in the diet.
  • Learn the habit of going to the bathroom in a specific hour or hours.
  • Reduce the consumption of sugar and highly processed foods.
  • No Smoking.
  • Do not abuse fats.
  • Maintain our weight.
  • Have a varied diet with fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, low-fat proteins, olive oil , among others.
  • She also points out that Consuming coffee on an empty stomach encourages bowel movement because caffeine stimulates the neurons of the enteric nervous system in the intestine . These give the order to produce contractions in the muscular walls there, generating the need to go to the bathroom.

    Despite the above, it is important that you are aware of the particularities of your diet and lifestyle life in general so that you have an idea of ​​what would be the most suitable frequency for you.

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