Are They A Strong Indicator of Your Gut Health?

“Ghost poops” are essentially poops that seem to disappear in the toilet, leaving no trace in the bowl or toilet paper. Some people think this is a sign of healthy digestion.

But is this truly something you should aspire to? Here’s what colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, and family physicians have to say.

Ghost poops leave no residue in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper after wiping. Sometimes, they even seem to disappear into the toilet without a trace.

According to Bruce Hennessy, MD, a gastroenterologist with OhioHealth Gastroenterology, a ghost poop is a long, cigar-shaped bowel movement with just the right amount of form and firmness. In the Bristol Stool Scale, it would be classified as type four.

“It is a sign that all of the waste products are coming out and should be brown or have a slight tinge of green,” Lai Xue, MD, a colorectal surgeon and assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Surgery, told Health. “It should never be white, red, or black.”

Aside from its disappearing act, experts say there are other signs to look for. These include:

• Smooth surface
• Log-like shape
• Well formed
• Easy to pass
• Brown color (sometimes with a tinge of green)
• Little to no residue
• Sinks and does not float

Having ghost poop could be a sign of a healthy bowel movement, especially because it is well-formed and not too loose or too hard. This means it has a good mix of fiber and water content.

“When [poops] leave no residue, it generally means that the pancreas, liver, and small intestine have done a really good job at absorbing all the nutrients that need to be absorbed, so there is no excessive amount of fatty oil or bile,” said Dr. Xue.

When bowel movements are easy, that means your pelvic floor is working well. In other words, having ghost poop likely means things are all working just as they should, according to Dr. Xue.

Ghost poops could also be a sign of strong gut muscles that help ensure proper stool formation, complete evacuation, and strong and coordinated contractions, Mike Sevilla, MD, a family physician at Salem Family Care, told Health.

That said, having ghost poop does not mean you should neglect regular screening for colon cancer, says Dr. Xue. You can have colon cancer, yet still have regular, formed, and easily passed brown bowel movements.

It’s totally OK if you don’t have a ghost poop every time you go to the bathroom, but there are things you could be doing that are keeping you from passing well-formed stools.

First, you might need to eat more fiber and drink more water, according to Dr. Xue. This is what helps create well-formed, smooth, easy-to-pass poop. Fiber can constipate without water.

If you are not feeling as ghosted in the bathroom as you would like, there are things you can do to increase the likelihood of having ghost poops:

• Increase your fiber intake. Ideally, you should aim for 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. But you may want to increase your intake slowly to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
• Drink more water. Dr. Sevilla recommends at least 8 cups of water a day.
• Eat healthy fats. Healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, and nuts can lead to smoother passage and more complete evacuation of stool, according to Dr. Sevilla.
• Consider your positioning. Some even find that using the squat position, or using a squatty potty, can help reduce straining and promote defecation, said Dr. Xue.
• Practice good bathroom habits. “The bathroom is not a place to read the newspaper. Evacuate your waste and finish,” said Dr. Xue. “Sitting on the toilet too long can cause hemorrhoids and swelling.”
• Exercise regularly. Evidence suggests that consistent exercise can improve bowel movements. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity.
• Communicate with your healthcare provider. Discuss your gut health and regularity with your healthcare provider, and get colon cancer screening, said Dr. Hennesy.

And lastly, if you’re not having ghost poops, don’t worry. But it’s worth visiting your healthcare provider if you have symptoms like chronic constipation or diarrhea, persistent bloating, any blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

A ghost poop is a bowel movement that leaves no residue in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper. It is also well-formed, smooth, and easy to pass.

For the most part, having a ghost poop is a sign of healthy digestion, but this does not negate the need for regular screenings for colon cancer or open conversations with your healthcare provider.

If you want to have more ghost poops, you should eat more fiber, drink more water, maintain a nutritious diet, and exercise regularly.