Why do I poop in the morning?




Coffee? Check.

A good stretch? Check.

The Perfect poop? Checkmate.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but doesn’t it seem like people poop the most in the morning?

I certainly do. I wondered why that was and did some research.

Part of the reason is your colon.

When you wake up, it snaps into action after its long slumber.

That can help most people keep a positive poop appointment, which can also be nice because a perfect morning poop that frees you up from any poop related pain for the rest of the day is great!

No painful single ply public bathroom toilet paper for this poo!

But if you’re not completely, gently, and enjoyably emptying your bowels every morning then keeping some sort of consistency in the time and shape and well… consistency is important.

And it’s easier to attain than you think.

Click below to hear about a startling new nutrient discovery that’ll get you on schedule for the perfect poop.

I can’t begin to tell you what a difference it’s made in my life.

Click below and we’ll talk next time. Until then, like for good poop, share for great poop.

See ya!


Why do I poop in the morning? How many times should I poop each day? What is a normal bowel movement?

These are some of the questions you may have asked yourself or Google but never discussed with friends or even your doctor. That’s because most people are embarrassed to talk about poop issues. Consequently, the details of their bowel movements are kept secret.

But it’s important to talk about your bathroom habits. After all, the appearance and frequency of your bowel movements can indicate whether you have a gastrointestinal disorder. Changes in your stool and bathroom routine can also reveal digestive problems, infections, disease, and even cancer.

So…let’s answer some of the most common questions about poop, pooping, and bathroom habits.

A 3d illustration of the human digestive system on blue background.

Why am I pooping first thing in the morning?

Though you may not poop as soon as you wake up, it’s probably one of the top 3 things you do in the morning.

And the reason why some people always poop upon awakening makes a lot of sense; namely, while you sleep, your small and large intestines work to process the food you ate during the previous day. At least, that’s the accepted “wisdom.”

But this explanation is simplistic given that it can take around 2-5 days to eliminate (poop out) undigested food.1 So the real reason you poop in the morning is that your colon appears to be “wired” for it. That is, the colon starts contracting more intensely in the first hour after you wake than it does at any other time.2 Even then, it usually takes about 30 minutes after you awaken to have your first bowel movement of the day. 3

Incidentally, your colon also appears “wired” to hold bowel movements during the night. That’s because colon contractions are moderated by the circadian rhythm that, in turn, regulates your sleep/wake cycles. (This is why your sleep is usually not interrupted by a #2 run.) 4a

The same is not true for urination. After all, your bladder can hold only so much liquid before you have the urge to pee. (Isn’t the body an amazing machine?) To keep your sleep from being interrupted by your bladder, try to drink no water or other liquids no later than three hours before bedtime.

An image of a woman sitting an a bed holding a cup of coffee and yawning.

Why do I poop after drinking a cup of coffee?

Pooping after you drink coffee is quite common. After all, studies indicate that coffee promotes bowel movements in 30% to 40% of people.4b But why and how does coffee affect the bowels? The answer may surprise you.

Many people believe that caffeine is responsible for those morning poops. This implies that caffeine has a laxative effect. There’s only one problem: no scientific studies have ever confirmed this belief. On the contrary, a 1990 study in the journal Gut showed that decaffeinated coffee had the same effect as regular coffee on morning bowel movements.5 This makes sense. After all, do you typically poop after you drink a glass of your favorite soft drink? Probably not.

The coffee’s warmth or acidity level also doesn’t appear to play a role in its effect on your colon. So…what is the reason for those after-coffee poops?

Well…your colon is more active in the morning, so pooping after having your “cup of Joe” might be just a coincidence. But that’s not the only answer.

So, why does coffee make you poop?

Studies suggest that coffee stimulates receptors in your digestive tract that causes contractions in your stomach and colon. These are the same contractions that push food through your digestive system, but drinking coffee seems to speed up this process.6 The reason coffee has this effect is unknown.

An image of a woman sitting on a toilet, pajama bottoms at her ankles.

How many times should I poop each day?

Having regular bowel movements is important, but there is no set number of times you should poop each day. However, most experts agree that anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered normal.

Also, your body develops a poop schedule that is likely to remain fairly consistent. That is, you’ll likely poop the same number of times each day and at similar times of day or night. (Your poop schedule can vary with changes in your diet or exercise routine, though.)

What is a normal healthy bowel movement?

A normal healthy bowel movement is one in which the stool is firm but smooth, S-shaped like a snake, and easy to pass. If you have to strain to push the stool out, it’s a sign of constipation. Conversely, if your stool is runny, it’s a sign of diarrhea.

An image of a woman sitting on a toilet in pain due to constipation.

Constipation and diarrhea aren’t necessarily bad for your health. Rather, they are often caused by diet. For example, eating a high-fiber diet could be rough on your digestive system, causing runny stool. Similarly, eating too much cheese may cause constipation. But if they are frequent bathroom occurrences, it can indicate many things, including:

  • Poor gut health (An imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria)
  • Digestive disorders, e.g., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease
  • Viral inflection, e.g. stomach flu
  • Bacterial infection, e.g. e Coli
  • Food allergies
  • Food sensitivities, e.g. lactose intolerance
  • Colon cancer

There are two ways to tell at a glance if your bowel movement/digestive system is healthy, too.

  1. Simply compare the shape and texture of your poop to those pictured on the Bristol Stool Chart.
  2. Ask yourself, “What does the color of my poop mean?”

What’s the Bristol Stool Chart?

The Bristol stool chart was created in 1997 by Dr. Ken Heaton, MD, from the University of Bristol.  As an assessment tool for medical professionals, the chart identifies 7 different shapes of human poop that range from constipation to diarrhea. The chart is used to help your healthcare provider diagnose abnormal bowel movements. After all, it’s more efficient and less embarrassing for patients to point to a picture that resembles their typical bowel movements than it is for them to verbally describe it.

An illustration of the Bristol Stool Chart categorizing different shapes and consistencies of stool with text below.

Explanatory Text

Type 1: Separate hard lumps (severe constipation)

Type 2: Lumpy and sausage-like (mild constipation)

Type 3: Sausage shape with cracks (Normal)

Type 4: Like a smooth soft sausage or snake (Normal)

Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (Lacking fiber)

Type 6: Mushy consistency with ragged edges (mild diarrhea)

Type 7: Liquid consistency with no solid pieces (severe diarrhea)

End Explanatory Text 

The 7 types of poop pictured range from constipation (#1) to diarrhea (#7)

  • Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation.
  • Types 5, 6, and 7 indicate diarrhea
  • Types 3 and 4 are considered normal stools, i.e., firm but smooth.

An image of an alarm clock with a woman in the background stretching in bed after waking up.

How to get to “normal” stool

You can usually obtain “normal” stool if you eat plenty of fiber foods and drink lots of water. (Fiber absorbs water, which helps to bulk up the stool, making it easier to pass.) This could reduce the symptoms of both constipation and diarrhea.

Keep in mind that it should only take you a few minutes to have bowel movements. If it takes you a long time to finish your toilet duties, or if you have to strain to push out the stool, you’re likely constipated.

However, bowel issues are not always diet related. In fact, the shape and texture of your poop are an indication of your gastrointestinal health and could signal IBS or another disorder. Therefore, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor if you notice a change in your bowel movements.

Cartoon images of different colored poops with labeled text described below.

Labeled Text For Poop Colors

  • brown
  • reddish
  • white or clay-colored
  • black or dark brown
  • yellowish
  • green

End Labeled Text

What does the color of my poop mean?

The color of your poop is another important indicator of the health of your bowels and your body. The color of foods in your diet often shows up in your poop, but you should always talk to your gastroenterologist if you notice a change of color.

Here is a brief listing of what the color of your poop could mean and some of the causes.7

  • Brown: All shades of brown are considered normal.
  • Black: Bleeding in the stomach or other parts of the upper digestive tract. Black stool could also be caused by iron supplements, medication, certain foods, and other sources. This could be a medical emergency, so go to the ER if you notice that your stool is black.
  • Green: Foods may be moving through the digestive tract too quickly to be broken down by bile. This often happens with diarrhea. Foods such as leafy green vegetables often cause green stool. Green stool is generally considered to be “normal,” but you should check with your doctor.
  • Yellow and greasy: This can be a sign of excess fat in the stool, as occurs in Celiac disease. See your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Bright red: This is often a sign of bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as the rectum, and may be caused by hemorrhoids.

Fix your poop issues today!

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References

1- Rajan E.Digestion: How long does it take? Mayo Clinic. Dec 31, 2019. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/expert-answers/faq-20058340

2- Vinopal L. Why You Have to Poop in the Morning, According to Science. Fatherly. Mar 19, 2021. https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/why-do-people-poop-morning-time/

3- Vinopal L. Why You Have to Poop in the Morning, According to Science. Fatherly. Mar 19, 2021. https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/why-do-people-poop-morning-time/

4a – The Editors of Healthy. 9 Weird Pooping Habits, Explained By Science. The Healthy. Jan 26, 2021. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.thehealthy.com/digestive-health/constipation/pooping-habits/

4b- Feltman R. Here’s why coffee makes you poop. The Washington Post. Aug 10, 2015. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/08/10/why-does-coffee-make-you-poop/

5- Miller K. Why Does Drinking Coffee Always Make You Poop? Health. Dec 19, 2019. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.health.com/condition/digestive-health/why-does-coffee-make-you-poop

6- Miller K. Why Does Drinking Coffee Always Make You Poop? Health. Dec 19, 2019. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.health.com/condition/digestive-health/why-does-coffee-make-you-poop

7- Picco M. Stool color: When to worry. Mayo Clinic. Oct 10, 2020. Accessed Mar 22, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/stool-color/expert-answers/faq-20058080

What Are 7 types of poop?


  • Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (difficult to pass and can be black)
  • Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy
  • Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface (can be black)
  • Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft (average stool)
  • Type 5: Soft blobs with clear cut edges
  • Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool (diarrhea)
  • Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid (diarrhea)

Types of poop one encounters is categorized by the Bristol Stool Chart. This chart is a generalized indicator of how or why different types of poops look and feel a certain way. The 7 types of poop are broken up into categories based on a 2,000-person study!

1
Bristol Stool Scale
1

Does your poo look this good? If you have Bristol Type 3 or 4 – your poop is considered “normal”!  Bristol Type 1 or 2, is where the poop is hard and difficult to pass, are indicative of constipation. Often, these types of stool can be painful to pass – but don’t worry – Doctor Poo has a recommended healthy-gut switch solution…just keep reading!

 Should you ever worry about your poop?

Always consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about what your poop means. People are asked to call their health care providers if: They experience severe levels of abdominal pain or discomfort with diarrhea that does not go away when you poop or fart. Also, if diarrhea is accompanied by fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills, vomiting, or fainting, call your physician immediately.

What is an unhealthy poop?

An unhealthy poop is when one poops too often (hence, your doctor asking you if you poop more than three times daily) or not pooping often enough (As such, less than three times a week) and also excessive straining when pooping. Poop that is colored red, black, green, yellow, or white. greasy, or fatty stools is unhealthy.

Help fix so many of your digestive and bathroom issues, such as gas and bloating and improve your overall health with this patented molecule that is backed by Harvard Doctor’s by clicking here!

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