Being part of the Western civilization, you have probably used the toilet wrong your entire life without being aware of it. Namely, according to experts at the Pelvic Floor Clinic, Stanford University, the human body is designed in such a way that it is more natural for it to squat than to sit. This can be also asserted by the bathroom habits throughout the history.

What is dangerous about all this is that improper fecal elimination can be a reason for hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, hernias, and diverticulosis.

A study from 2003 conducted on 28 people divided the participants into 3 groups according to 3 different positions. The first group consisted of people sitting on a lower toilet shell, the second one contained individuals sitting on a high toilet and the third group consisted of people squatting. Scientists found that pooping was much easier in the squatting position and it also took about a minute less.

Squatting definitely has strong physiologic sense, according to the gastroenterologist Anish Sheth, MD.

When in standing position, the colon is pushed against the puborectalis muscle, which causes fecal continence, until the urge to go to the toilet appears. Sitting down relaxes the muscles only partially, while in a squatting position, the muscles are fully relaxed, resulting in the straightening out of the colon. Undoubtedly, the whole defecation process is much easier.

A standard medical text from 1964 named Bockus’s Gastroenterology claims that the squatting position is the ideal posture for defecation, as the thighs should be fixed upon the abdomen. This is exactly the same way as our ancestors relieved themselves.

Benefits of Squatting

Squatting prevents the stagnation of waste, since it is an easier and faster way to defecate in this position, and thus prevents colon cancer.

Moreover, when discharging feces in a squatting position, the nerves which control the prostate, uterus and bladder are protected from getting stretched and damaged.

Also, the small intestine is protected, as the waste does not enter and contaminate it.

This position protects the pelvic nerves and pelvic floor as well, which are responsible for prostate health, sexuality and bladder control.

Squatting avoids pressure on the uterus, and it is helpful for pregnant women with natural delivery.

Source: livingtraditionally.com