Frequency of Bowel Movements May Be Linked to Long-Term Health: Study

Researchers found that one to two daily bowel movements are linked to beneficial gut bacteria.
Frequency of Bowel Movements May Be Linked to Long-Term Health: Study
Bifidobacteria are vital to gut immunity. Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock
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Irregular bowel schedules, particularly constipation and diarrhea, are so common that people often see them as mere annoyances. However, a new study suggests they may increase the risk of chronic diseases.

“We suggest that chronic constipation or diarrhea may be under-appreciated drivers of organ damage and chronic disease, even in healthy populations,” the researchers wrote in the study, published on July 16 in Cell Reports Medicine.
Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Author
Rachel Melegrito worked as an occupational therapist, specializing in neurological cases. Melegrito also taught university courses in basic sciences and professional occupational therapy. She earned a master's degree in childhood development and education in 2019. Since 2020, Melegrito has written extensively on health topics for various publications and brands.