How Much Poop Can Your Body Hold? The Shocking Facts

Do you ever feel like you’re full of it? That bloated, backed-up feeling that makes you want to let loose and clean house? You’re not alone. Constipation and irregular bowel movements affect millions of people. And when waste gets stuck in your system, it can lead to some uncomfortable buildup. Just how much accumulation are we talking about here? Brace yourself – the average human colon can hold anywhere from 5 to 25 pounds of poop at a time!

Let’s dig into the dirty details. The amount your body can store depends on your height, diet, metabolism and gut health. Taller people with longer colons can pack away more pounds of poop. Folks who eat processed foods lacking fiber will also get stopped up more easily. And if your gastrointestinal system is out of whack, waste won’t move through on schedule. Whatever your situation, it’s not fun to feel clogged and know you’re carrying around a heavy poop load.

The good news? You can take control and feel lighter again. Up your fiber intake from whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated to keep things moving. Exercise and avoid straining. And don’t wait too long when nature calls – listen to your body’s signals. Relieving yourself regularly prevents unhealthy poop buildup so you don’t have to haul around all that excess weight. Who wants to go through life feeling full of it? Not you! Follow a healthy poop routine and you’ll be back to your old, lighter self in no time.

Your Colon’s Carrying Capacity

Your colon’s carrying capacity depends on a few key factors:

Height – Taller people have longer colons that can store more poop. For every foot of colon, you can pack away 7-10 pounds.
Diet – Eating more processed foods lacking fiber leads to getting stopped up. A high fiber diet keeps things moving.
Metabolism – A sluggish metabolism causes waste to accumulate. An efficient metabolism clears you out.
Gut health – GI issues like IBS or intestinal inflammation reduce colon capacity. A healthy gut moves poop on schedule.

So someone who is 6 feet tall, eats junk food, has a slow metabolism, and gut problems could potentially accumulate 25+ pounds.

But most people top out at 5-10 pounds of stored poop. Still, that’s a lot of dead weight to carry around!

The Scoop on Poop Buildup

Why does poop build up? Your body can’t fully digest all the food you eat. The undigested residue gets stuck along the intestinal lining as mucus and waste. Over time, it piles up into a hefty poop load.

Fun fact: An impacted colon once caused a British man to accumulate a 40-pound poop baby! His massive colon stretched to 9 inches wide. Surgeons removed the giant poo lump, and the man lost 66 pounds of weight overnight. Can you imagine being that relieved?

Anyway, back to why poop gets stuck. If you have chronic constipation, a poor diet, or digestive issues, your colon’s storage limit creeps higher. You may pack in 8-25 pounds without realizing it.

Yet don’t believe the myth that most people have 20 pounds of poop inside. Regular bowel movements keep your plumbing clear. With daily pooping, accumulation stays under a pound.

The Skinny on Your Poop Load

Wondering if you’re full of it? Track your poop to find out.

Ideal poop is soft, lightweight, and easy to pass. This shows your plumbing is clear.
Constipation poop is hard, dry, and tough to pass. It signals waste buildup.
Diarrhea poop is loose, urgent, and frequent. It means your poop load evacuated quickly.

Check the toilet paper too. If you need a lot of wiping, excess poop is stuck to your bottom.

Pay attention to how you feel after pooping:

Lighter and relieved? Your load has lightened.
Still feel bloated? You’ve still got reserves stored up there.

Monitoring your poop gives insight on your colon’s contents. Know your norm to catch constipation early.

5 Health Consequences of Too Much Poop

Is it possible to be too full of it? Absolutely. Excessive poop retention causes problems like:

Weight gain – More poop = more pounds. Clear your colon to shed waste weight.
Toxic overload – Excess waste putrefies and releases toxins. This poisons your body.
Stomach pain – A heavy poop load stretches your intestines, causing cramps and discomfort.
Nutrient malabsorption – Too much poop prevents proper absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Bowel irritation – All that poop rubs and irritates the intestinal lining, making you feel inflamed.

Ridding yourself of a poop stockpile will make you feel healthier and lighter!

5 Ways to Reduce Your Poop Burden

Need to unload some excess cargo? Try these proven poop reduction tips:

1. Up Your Fiber Intake

Fiber gives poop bulk which stimulates movement. Load up on high fiber foods like beans, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drinking more fluids softens poop and makes it easier to pass. Aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

3. Exercise and Move Your Body

Physical activity accelerates digestion and intestinal contractions. As little as a 10 minute walk can spur a needed poop!

4. Try Squatting Not Sitting

The squatting position straightens the rectum, allowing for more complete poop elimination. Use a stool to lift your feet while seated.

5. Don’t Delay When Nature Calls

Ignoring the urge leads to constipation. Take advantage of your body’s signals and poop promptly.

Give Your Colon a Cleanse

For serious poop accumulation, a colon cleanse is advised. There are two options:

At home cleanses – Fiber supplements, laxatives, enemas, or herbal teas help flush you out.
Professional colonics – Specialists hydraulically irrigate your colon to wash out compacted wastes.

Consult your doctor before attempting a cleanse if you have medical issues.

After reading this, you know all you ever wanted to about your colon’s poop capacity! While it’s normal to store some waste, too much causes discomfort. Tune into your body, poop regularly, and eat fiber to keep your plumbing clear. Aim for ideal snakes, not concrete blocks. Your colon will thank you!