BY JOYCE WONG JIN YI
HAVE you ever taken a moment to ponder the signals your poop might be trying to convey about your health? Surprisingly, the characteristics of your bowel movements can be a window into your overall well-being. One intriguing aspect is whether your stool floats or sinks in the toilet bowl.
The buoyancy of your stool is influenced by various factors, providing valuable insights into your digestive system’s health. Floating stools often raise eyebrows, but they are not cause for major concern in most cases. The primary culprit behind buoyant stools is gas trapped within the faecal matter. This gas can result from the fermentation of certain foods in the gut, indicating difficulty in breaking down specific components.
Foods high in fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, contribute to the buoyancy of stools. Additionally, the consumption of fatty foods can make stools more likely to float. Conditions like celiac disease or lactose intolerance may lead to malabsorption, causing nutrients to pass through the digestive tract without complete absorption, resulting in floaty stools.
