It turns out that the number one way to go number two isn’t what we’ve been doing here in the civilized West, and it’s basically all John Harrington’s fault, the inventor of the flush toilet (not Thomas Crapper).
According to science, most of us have been pooping wrong our whole lives.
Microbiologist and enthusiastic expert on all things gut and poo-related, Giulia Enders, dropped this giant load (of truth) on us in her controversial book “Darm mit Charme” (“Charming Bowels”) last year in her native Germany. Her new English version, “Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ,” is set to hit shelves on May 24.
So what is the correct way to poo? It’s none other than the frightfully undignified squat. Yes, we must admit that China, whose public restrooms offer holes in the ground in place of real toilets, was actually doing it the right way (according to science only, not personal dignity).
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Enders explains:
“1.2 billion people around the world who squat have almost no incidence of diverticulosis and fewer problems with piles. We in the west, on the other hand, squeeze our gut tissue until it comes out of our bottoms.”
Apparently, the way our bodies are positioned on the toilet when we are taking care of business doesn’t “open the hatch completely.” Squatting is more natural. Imagine trying to turn on the water hose outside of your house when it’s bent — it would take a ton of pressure to get the water through, right? Squatting is actually like straightening out that hose before turning it on — you get a nice and easy flow.
If you wanted to try the healthier and more natural technique on your own, in private, where no one can ever see how ridiculous you would look, you could climb on your toilet and literally squat, though I’d imagine you could get some majorly unwanted splash-back. You could also just raise your feet on a little stool and just lean forward a bit more.
Enders is currently studying in Frankfurt, Germany, for her doctorate in microbiology. Everything you ever wanted to know about the gut, constipation, farts and pooing is covered in her new book.
Who’s brave enough to comment that they are going to try this at home?
