Why does your poop float?

It could be because your poop is too gassy.

Your poop can speak volumes about your health. It can actually be a warning sign for anything from haemorrhoids to colon cancer. But while the colour of your poop can just be fine, sometimes the texture of the poop can also reveal a lot. Have you ever wondered why your poop floats sometimes instead of sinking to the bottom of the pot? Dr Ninad Kakde tells you why.

The air in the stool causes it to float

Your stool floats simply because it is less dense. While some doctors believe that it is the result of excess fat in the faeces, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it is due to the extra air in the stool [1]. So if your poop has more air than normal, it will be more likely to poop on top of the pot. The extra air in the stool could come from unabsorbed carbohydrates like lactose. This is more likely to happen if you are lactose intolerant or consumed a lot of dairy during the day. Artificial sweeteners and alcoholic drinks can also make your stool gassier. These 9 foods can help you poop easily.

That being said, it is still possible that the extra fat in your poop can cause it to float in the pot. Eating a lot of fatty foods can cause your stool to float. When your intestine cannot absorb all the fat, it is excreted in your poop. Here's why your poop smells worse all of a sudden.

A diet high in fibre and rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits can improve your digestive health. Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking and too much caffeine. Also, ensure that every meal you eat contains both soluble and insoluble fibres. Vegetables, whole grains, beans, oat bran, nuts, seeds and legumes are essential for proper digestive health.

Reference:

Michael D. Levitt, M.D., and William C. Duane, M.D, Floating Stools Flatus versus Fat N Engl J Med 1972; 286:973-975May 4, 1972DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197205042861804

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