Hello and welcome to Zoe Shorts, the Bite Size podcast where we discuss one topic around

science and nutrition. I'm Jonathan Wolf and today I'm joined by Dr. Will Bullswitch.

And today's subject is constipation.

You probably think constipation is simply infrequent bowel movements, however, may surprise

some people to hear that you could have a bowel movement every day and still be constipated.

What? That's crazy!

Are you telling me that everything we know about constipation is wrong?

Well Jonathan, maybe not everything.

But constipation is about so much more than just how often we poop.

I think we can dispel some of the misconceptions about constipation and empower these listeners

to better bowel movements.

Well, let's not be really slow to get to the punch line, so let's get into it.

Before we start, I think we do need to be clear, like what is the gold standard for how

often you should be going to the toilet?

From some of the research that I've looked at, I can see that medical professionals suggest

anything from three times each day to three times each week can be considered healthy,

which is an enormous range.

So well, before we go any further, like what is a healthy frequency and what is therefore

the textbook definition of constipation?

The formal definition just to be clear for constipation is having fewer than three bowel

movements per week.

Now let me just say, like as a gastroenterologist, I actually find this definition to be too narrow

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