Does your poop float? (And yes, we’re really going there.)
Be honest - do you even look? If you’re not a “looker”, might we gently suggest you start? Because what’s going on in the bowl can tell us a surprising amount about what’s happening in your bowel.
While a 'floater' now and then isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, it can be a sign that something’s a bit off in your digestive world. Floating poop means your stool has more air (or gas) trapped in it, which makes it buoyant. Sometimes this is harmless, but sometimes it’s your body waving a little flag saying, “Hey, pay attention to me!”
Why Poop Floats
The science is actually kind of cool (and gross). Bacteria in your large intestine produce gas as they break down food - totally normal! But when too much gas gets trapped, or when digestion isn’t quite doing its job properly, it can make your poop float instead of sink.
Constipation can also play a role; if stool moves too slowly through your system, gas builds up and… you guessed it… you’ve got a floater situation. Certain medications, like some laxatives or antibiotics, can also change your gut balance and lead to the same effect.
Common Culprits
Floating poop can happen for lots of reasons, some more innocent than others. Here are a few to consider before you start panicking:
- Excess Gas. Beans, lentils, cauliflower, cabbage, fizzy drinks, beer - all the usual suspects. Delicious? Yes. Gassy? Also yes. Too much of these and your digestive tract might start inflating balloons.
- Speed Eating. Are you inhaling your food instead of chewing it? When you eat too quickly, food doesn’t break down properly, so your gut has to work overtime - and that can lead to extra gas and less-than-perfect digestion. Nutritionists recommend at least 20 chews to get the digestive juices flowing and the gut prepared.
- Low Fibre Intake. Fibre helps bulk things up. Without enough of it, stools can be lighter and less dense, meaning they’re more likely to float. Think whole grains, broccoli, beetroot, green beans - the stuff that keeps everything moving.
- Fat Malabsorption. If you notice oily or greasy residue in the toilet (yes, we’re talking ‘oil slick’), your body might not be absorbing fats properly. This could be linked to your gallbladder, pancreas, or gut health - definitely worth checking in with a health professional.
- Gut Imbalance or Infection. Sometimes it’s not about what you eat but what’s happening inside. Antibiotics, parasites, stress, or even travel can throw your gut flora out of balance. The result? A few too many floaters.
Should You Worry?
If it’s just a one-off, it’s probably nothing serious. But if floating stools hang around for more than a few days, or you notice other symptoms (like changes in colour, pain, bloating, or fatigue), it’s time to have a chat with your naturopath, nutritionist, or doctor.
Persistent floaters can be linked to issues like liver or gallbladder problems, infections, or malabsorption conditions - all things that deserve a bit of professional attention.
Bottom Line (Pun Absolutely Intended)
Checking your poop might not be the most glamorous part of your day, but it’s honestly one of the easiest health check-ins you can do. Your toilet bowl is basically giving you free data on how your gut’s doing - so don’t flush that information away (literally).
If your poop’s are floating a little more often than you’d like, take a closer look at your diet, slow down your eating, and make sure your fibre and good fats are on point. And if it keeps happening, don’t just shrug it off; get it checked. Your gut’s trying to tell you something.