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Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 11 Apr 2025

Do You Poop Right After Eating? Know What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements?

Gastrocolic reflex affects adults with symptoms of abdominal cramps and pain, bowel urgency, or severe diarrhoea

While digestion depends on every person’s internal system, many people poop right after they finish their meals. While it is okay once in a while, if it happens all the time, you may have an overactive gastrocolic reflex - a natural reflex to eating. According to doctors, when you feel the need to relieve yourself right after eating all the time, it is not that your digestion is superfast but a natural reaction that your body is giving.

What is the gastrocolic reflex?

The gastrocolic reflex is a physiological reflex that stimulates movement in your lower gastrointestinal tract right after eating. While it may not be classified as a disease or medical condition—but rather a normal response that helps your body make room for more food after eating.
However, according to experts, the gastrocolic reflex affects adults with symptoms of abdominal cramps and pain, bowel urgency, or severe diarrhoea. Also, if you have irritable bowel syndrome, you may also get these symptoms when food hits your stomach and your body releases certain hormones. These hormones tell your colon to contract to move food through your colon and out of your body. This makes room for more food.

What causes gastrocolic reflex?

Doctors say many people have the symptoms of gastrocolic reflex more frequently due to
  • Certain digestive disorders like IBS
  • Anxiety
  • Celiac disease
  • Greasy and processed foods
  • Food allergies
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
However, an episode of diarrhoea following a meal is unlikely to relate to your gastrocolic reflex. Diarrhoea or loose motion is a common condition that typically only lasts a day or two. However, if it happens for at least a week or more, it could indicate an underlying health issue. Some common causes of persistent diarrhoea include:
  • Excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners and other laxatives
  • Foodborne bacteria and parasites
  • Digestive disorders
  • Viral infection
  • An abdominal surgery like gallbladder removal

Can you stop pooping after every meal?

According to experts, even though it may not be entirely possible to prevent pooping after every meal and prevent the gastrocolic reflex, you can take a few steps that make it controlled.
Experts suggest eating foods that are easy on your stomach. If you notice that certain foods are triggering your gastrocolic reflex, make sure to avoid them to reduce their intensity. Some common triggers are:
  • Dairy like milk, cheese, and butter
  • High-fibre foods like wheat and other grains
  • Oily and junk foods
Also, according to experts, stress can be a big trigger for the gastrocolic reflex, so it is important to manage it with the help of either therapy or natural ways like meditation, socialising, yoga, or taking up hobbies.
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