Our ancestors did it. In Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, it's still done. So how did we Westerners stray from this practice and lose touch with the best way to use the toilet?
It's all because of toilets as we know them. They used to be called thrones. It turns out that squatting is better than sitting.
In a 2003 study, 28 healthy volunteers timed their bowel movements in three alternating positions: sitting on a standard toilet, sitting on a low toilet, and squatting. They recorded not only the duration but also the effort required. The study showed that squatting requires less time and effort.
"There's definitely a physiological explanation for the squatting position," explains gastroenterologist Anish Sheth, co-author of "What's Your Stool Telling You?" and "What's My Urine Telling Me?" “In simple terms, it straightens the large intestine.”
