Why does running make you poop and ways to manage it

Here’s why running makes you poop!

If you find yourself getting the urge to poop while you're running, there’s nothing wrong with you. Find out why this happens!

Do you also feel the urge to poop while you run? Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Geetika Sachdev Updated: 17 Oct 2021, 09:20 am IST

Has it ever happened with you that you’re in the middle of a high-intensity run, and you suddenly want to poop? Sounds very relatable right? Because there’s a reason behind this! Running actually makes you poop, and the up and down motions are believed to stimulate the colon quite a bit.

Why does that happen?

Whenever you move your body at a fast pace, your colon moves too, and that’s why you get that urge to head to the washroom. There’s another reason – there are a lot of people who consume sugary foods or drinks before they step outdoors for a run. That can cause diarrhea because of the high levels of sugar.

“When you eat or drink more sugar, your body releases more water into your gastrointestinal tract, which in turn, makes your stools watery. If you have a lot of water regularly (or even fluids) and are active, you can still be prone to diarrhea or soft stools. But even if you are dehydrated, you can face issues while running,” shares Dr Rashmi Tarachandani, general physician, with HealthShots.

Does running cause other reactions?

For the unversed, running also diverts blood away from your GI tract to other parts of the body that are working hard. This means your intestines do not receive enough blood, which could then cause abdominal pain or diarrhea, making you end up in the bathroom.

If you are someone who has taken to running only recently, it is important to take some time to understand what works best for you before a run.

“Every person is different, which is why your body may react differently to running,” says Dr Tarachandani.

Points to remember about running and poop

If you are a part of a marathon, do not try anything new on D-day.
Make sure that you have different foods during the practice so that you know what sits well with your gut.
Do not suddenly eat food after a run; try and wait it out for an hour or so, so that you do not end up with digestive woes.
Try to avoid too much fibre and fat, so that you can keep bloating or diarrhea at bay.

So ladies, now that you know the link between running and pooping, don’t get worried at all. Everybody is different, and that’s absolutely okay. Follow the advice shared in the article and let us know what you think, and if it helped you. We’ll wait for your comments!