[ad_1]
Most of us associate poor sleep with dark circles, low energy or brain fog, but its effects run much deeper. Irregular sleep can unsettle your digestive system, leading to constipation, bloating or unpredictable bowel habits. In his December 13 Instagram post, UK-based surgeon and popular health content creator Dr. Karan Rajan explains the science behind the sleep-poop connection and what your gut is trying to tell you. (Also read: Anushka Sharma’s nutritionist reveals how her ‘pregnancy diet’ was different from the eating habits of most Indian women ,
How does your sleep affect your tummy time?
Explaining the science behind it, Dr. Rajan says, “If you want to have more frequent bowel movements, the secret isn’t just more fiber. One of the most powerful tools for predictable bowel movements is sleep.”
He explains that the colon operates on its own internal timing system. “Your gut has its own circadian clocks, literally timekeeping devices inside every cell of your digestive tract. These clocks are coordinated with the master clock in your brain, known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus,” he notes.
When sleep timings are irregular this coordination breaks down. Dr. Rajan explains, “If your sleep schedule is disorganized, the master clock can’t send the right signals at the right time. Your intestines become time-displaced, becoming sluggish one day, hyperactive the next, without any rhythm or regularity.”
Highlighting the impact of social jet lag, she adds, “Sleeping at 11 pm one night and 2 am the next disrupts bowel motility. Stool becomes dry, and you may feel constipated even after eating enough fiber.”
Staying up late at night and using phones can disrupt your bowel habits
Scrolling late at night can make things worse. He says, “Being on the phone until 1 a.m. delays your natural melatonin surge, causing melatonin to go into the morning, which can slow down bowel movements. Your ‘I-need-to-go’ window is delayed, shifted, or missing altogether.”
Dr. Rajan also points out that the gut microbiome follows a daily rhythm. “Some bacteria peak in the morning, others at night. When sleep becomes irregular, microbial timing becomes disorganized and disorganized microbes means disorganized gut.”
Summarizing his advice, Dr. Rajan says, “If you want to poop more regularly, keep consistent sleep and wake times, get morning light to reset your brain clock, avoid heavy meals late at night, and then incorporate fiber, hydration, and mobility.,
Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
[ad_2]
