The Big Poop Review! Britain’s largest-ever study of bowel movements reveals how long we spend on the toilet, WHEN we like to go and how often… and the answers may surprise you
- More than 140,000 people took part in a survey of Britain’s bowel and bowel habits
- The study was conducted by ZOE Health Study with Steph’s Packed Lunch from C4
Britain’s largest-ever study of bowel movements has revealed how long we spend on the toilet, when we like to go and how often.
More than 140,000 people took part in The Big Poo Review – in an effort to “break the poop taboo.”
The survey found that the average Briton poops at least once a day (an average of 1.66 times) – while one in 400 Brits poop less than once a week.
It also found that people in Westminster spend the most time on the toilet – six minutes. This is two minutes longer than average.
The research was conducted by the ZOE Health Study, in collaboration with Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Britain’s largest-ever study of bowel movements has revealed how long we spend on the toilet, when we like to go and how often
Participants completed an online survey of about 20 questions, asking them about how much they poop.
It broke down toilet habits in the UK and found that 13 per cent of people are affected by their bowel and gut health to such an extent that it affects their daily lives.
And it found that Britain is a country of morning poopers, with nearly a third choosing to go after breakfast (60.7 per cent) and a third just after waking up (32.9 per cent).
This is explained by the gastro-colic reflex – where your small intestine and colon process all the food you ate the day before while you sleep. By the time you wake up, your body is ready to go.
Participants were also asked if they experience symptoms when they go to the toilet.
The most common response was ‘incomplete evacuations’ – which more than a third of Britons (36 per cent) admitted.
And scandalously, nearly one in ten people (9.2 percent) said they use their fingers to help themselves poop. Experts do not recommend manual techniques.
Another strong figure showed that nearly a quarter of women are constipated (23 percent), compared to just 13 percent of men.
The NHS defines constipation as a person who defecates less than three times a week, with the poop often being large, dry, hard or lumpy and experiencing straining or pain.
Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of ZOE, commented: ‘How often we go to the toilet is one of the best ways to understand our gut health.
“We know from ZOE’s research on blue poop that transit time from plate to toilet is a powerful predictor of gut health.”
He added that the research has “engaged thousands of people in their bowel movements for the first time” and will allow experts to tailor their advice to better help those who may be “silently struggling with their gut health.”
Steph McGovern, presenter of Steph’s Packed Lunch, said: ‘It’s incredible to see the results of our research and to know that scientists around the world will actually be able to use all this data to improve the way patients are cared for. change.
“I love that viewers of Steph’s Packed Lunch have been brave enough to open up about their bowel movements and break the poop taboo!”