How often you poop could suggest more than you think, study finds

How often you poop may influence more than whether you’re uncomfortably bloated. The frequency may also affect your gut microbiome and risk of chronic disease, a new study has found. Gut bacteria that digest fiber, for example, seemed to thrive in participants who pooped once or twice a day. But bacteria associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract or protein fermentation were enriched in those with diarrhea or constipation, respectively. The authors also found younger people, women, and participants with a lower body mass index had less frequent bowel movements.