"Achieving Optimal Bowel Health: The Ideal Poop Frequency and What It Reveals"

Researchers from the Institute for Systems Biology found that a fiber-rich diet, adequate hydration, and regular exercise are key to achieving the "Goldilocks" zone of pooping once or twice a day. The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,400 healthy adults and linked gut microbiome composition to bowel movement frequency. Fiber-fermenting bacteria were associated with optimal bowel movements, while protein-fermenting bacteria were linked to constipation and potential health risks. Abnormal bowel movement frequency may be a risk factor for chronic diseases.