Passing a bowel movement can cause a small reduction in body weight as a person’s body expels waste products. However, it is rarely significant and does not amount to long-term weight loss.
A person’s weight fluctuates throughout the day. This can vary depending on how much they eat and drink, how much they pass in bowel movements and urination, and other factors. However, these changes are only temporary and do not affect their overall long-term weight.
This article looks at how much weight a person might lose after a bowel movement and how much stool the body usually contains. It also explores how weight loss diets can affect bowel movements and lists some tips for relieving constipation.
A person may lose a very small amount of weight when they have a bowel movement. The exact amount differs for every individual, but it is generally insignificant.
As the body passes stool, it also releases gas. This can reduce bloating and make a person feel as though they have lost a little weight. However, it is important to remember that many factors affect weight. It is not simply a measurement of what goes in and out of the body.
Long-term weight loss
The weight loss relating to having a bowel movement is temporary. This is because the body is constantly processing food. Also, people will gradually replace the waste matter that leaves the body as stool by eating more food.
The most reliable way to
Learn more about sustainable, safe weight loss.
It is not possible to determine exactly how much stool is in the body at any given time.
As an estimate, the average amount of stool an adult produces per day is
Some factors that can affect the average weight of an individual’s stool include:
- their diet, particularly fiber intake
- frequency of bowel movements
- body size
- fluid intake
Including more fiber in the diet tends to
There are many different types of weight loss diets, which vary in calorie intake and nutritional composition. As such, they affect the digestive system in different ways.
High fiber diets
Including more fiber in the diet can increase stool weight and encourage more regular bowel movements.
Weight loss diets that are high in fiber and may increase bowel movements include:
Because of this, a person following a weight loss diet may have bowel movements more often. However, it is important to remember that any weight loss they see is primarily due to other aspects of the diet — not the increase in bowel movements.
Learn more about high fiber diets.
High protein diets
Many weight loss diets suggest eating more protein. Meat is a common source of protein, but it can be more difficult to digest than other foods.
Also, these diets may not include as much fiber as the body needs. Fiber helps bulk out a stool, which may be loose and runny without it. A lack of fiber can also give rise to constipation.
Weight loss diets that are low in fiber and may decrease bowel movements or not affect them include:
Learn more about high protein diets.
Not everyone will have a bowel movement every day. A
It is important to listen to the body’s signals. A person needs to ensure to go when they need to without forcing the body.
Gentle exercise may help encourage a bowel movement. In addition to adopting a nutritious diet, being physically active can help maintain a healthy digestive system and encourage regular bowel movements.
Other tips include drinking enough fluids and including enough fiber in the diet.
Constipation may need treatment with over-the-counter laxatives. Sometimes, an underlying health condition may be responsible. If constipation does not improve with changes to diet and exercise, a person needs to seek medical advice.
If a bowel movement results in weight loss, it will be a temporary and insignificant change to a person’s weight. This is because the body is always processing food and passing waste.
As a result, people should not consider bowel movements as a weight loss method.
Including more fiber in the diet can encourage regular bowel movements and may also help lose weight. Heavier stools tend to be healthier as they contain more fiber and fluids.