2 Banana-Shaped Stool Each Time is Good: Four Standards of Healthy Bowel Movement

Although feces are always avoided by people, it actually reflectsGastrointestinal healthWu Wenjie, director of the hepatobiliary and gastroenterology department at Changhua Yuansheng Hospital, pointed out that the amount, timing, color, shape, and sensation of bowel movements can all reveal the state of gastrointestinal function, making it a simple method for self-health monitoring.

A daily bowel movement of 2 bananas is considered healthy

Many people have daily bowel movements, but if the volume is small, this may indicate poor gastrointestinal function. Stool volume is closely related to diet. Consuming more protein and fat generally results in less stool; conversely, consuming more carbohydrates and dietary fiber results in more stool.

Hu Weiming, director of the colorectal department at Shutian Clinic, stated that ideally, daily stool volume should reach 200 grams, roughly the weight of two bananas. Chronically low stool volume may be due to insufficient dietary fiber intake, which can lead to slower intestinal motility and, in turn, constipation. It's generally recommended that adults consume 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber daily to maintain normal intestinal function.

In addition, the rectum usually needs to accumulate about 300 grams of feces to produce the "urge to defecate". Therefore, if the amount of feces is low for a long time, it may also make people lose the urge to defecate, further affectingBowel movement regularity.

The stool should be loose and not sticky, and the shape is also important

When stool volume is low, it's often sticky and tends to stick to the toilet bowl. This is because the diet is high in protein and fat, lacking the support of dietary fiber. This results in a compacted stool structure and reduced volume, much like being stuck together with glue. If you notice your stool is consistently sticky, it's recommended to review your diet and moderately increase your intake of high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

The ideal time for defecation is within 5 minutes

In addition to stool volume and shape, bowel movement duration is also important to observe. Dr. Wu Wenjie points out that ideal bowel movement should be kept within 3 to 5 minutes. Any time longer than 5 minutes can not only increase the risk of hemorrhoids but also indicate an inefficient bowel movement. If bowel movements persist beyond 5 minutes, it's recommended to avoid straining and instead sit on the toilet for 3 to 5 minutes at a fixed time each day to cultivate a regular bowel movement rhythm, which can help alleviate constipation.

As for bowel movement frequency, anywhere from three times a day to once every three days is considered normal. The key is whether each bowel movement is completed within five minutes and whether the stool volume, shape, and color are normal. Dietary habits vary, and the amount and type of food consumed can affect bowel movement frequency. As long as there is no noticeable discomfort, there is no need to worry.

Changes in stool color may be a health warning sign

The color of your stool can also reveal a lot about your health. Normally, your stool should be golden yellow. Any significant color change should be a cause for concern.

Greenish stools may be due to consuming a lot of dark green vegetables, while reddish stools may be due to eating foods like dragon fruit. These are generally nothing to worry about. However, long-term sticky, dark, or dark red stools may indicate intestinal or even stomach bleeding, which can be caused by ulcers, inflammation, infection, or even tumors.

If the stool is white or grayish white, it may be related to abnormal bile secretion, which means that there may be problems with the liver, gallbladder or pancreas, resulting in inability to digest fat normally and staining the stool.

The most important thing to pay attention to is "bloody stool", which may be caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, or lower gastrointestinal tumors. Once discovered, you should seek medical attention immediately.

In general, the amount, time, shape, color of bowel movements and the feeling during bowel movements are important clues to assess gastrointestinal health. If any of these items are found to be abnormal, such asToo little stoolIf your stool is too sticky, takes too long, is abnormally colored, or contains blood, it's recommended to seek medical attention and professional diagnosis as soon as possible. Observing these "daily signals" can help us detect potential gastrointestinal problems early and maintain overall health.

Related products: