Indian seat or commode, which is better for defecation?

In most parts of Asia, including Pakistan and India, when people think of going to the bathroom to defecate, the thought that comes to their mind is that they will have the convenience of sitting on a toilet seat or they will have to sit with their legs bent.

Over time, the Western style of defecation, i.e. commode, has been adopted in South Asia as well, but some people still look for the Indian seat.

There is often a debate about which toilet is better for health, i.e. the Western style commode or the Indian seat, which is also commonly called WC.

A study published in the US National Library of Medicine in July this year now provides a scientific answer to this debate.

Experts say that both are convenient ways to defecate and that both the Indian toilet and the Western style have their own advantages and disadvantages.

In this article, we will discuss in the light of this research, which method of defecation would be the best choice to improve the health of the human body?

The science behind bowel movements

Going to the bathroom to defecate may seem like a simple thing, but research suggests that “there is a complex system of muscles and body movements within the body that can make it easier or harder to pass stool or waste.”

Senior gastroenterologist Cavallevi Geraman says that the position of the anus (the passage through which stool is expelled) is also an important factor.

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According to him, ‘Studies show that when the anus is at a right angle, stool comes out more easily. Some people may face some difficulty in defecating while sitting on the commode seat in the toilet because it creates a bend in the path.’

According to the research results published in July this year, it is important to keep the anus in a straight position during defecation.

Cialuzi Geraman says that this is what happens in the position of the anus in the case of using an Indian toilet-style toilet.

According to him, ‘When a person sits with his legs bent, the knees bend and the thighs sink into the stomach. Then the body naturally leans forward. As a result, the muscles are relaxed (in a relaxed state) and the position of the anus is aligned.

According to the research, “In contrast, in a Western-style toilet, when a person sits upright, the muscles are tight or stiff and the last part of the large intestine (rectum) is curved, which requires additional pressure to expel feces.”

However, Dr. Chialozzi has also clarified that it is not correct to declare the English seat or commode as healthy based on this alone.

According to him, both types of toilets have been in use for many years. “Perhaps if the Western style had many practical problems, it would not have been used for so long.”

In addition, he also says that “Western-style toilets are useful for the elderly, people with physical disabilities and sick people.”

The best way to eliminate waste

When it comes to defecation, “three methods are generally adopted around the world. The style of sitting completely with the legs bent at the knees, the Western style of sitting on a chair, while on the English seat, the legs are slightly elevated (with a tripod or a strap under the feet) and the stool is done.

According to Dr. Cavallozzi, this does not pose any major obstacle, however, he also said that "in the Western style, people also make such changes because sitting in a chair-like position with the legs raised and folded makes it easier to defecate."

That is, in the Indian seat, the anus is at a right angle while defecating. Therefore, there is no major problem in passing stool. However, since there are some difficulties in using a chair-sized toilet, many people adopt the habit of raising their legs while sitting on the seat to avoid this.

On the other hand, the volunteers who participated in the study said that ‘the squatting method requires minimal effort while defecating. On the contrary, the Western method requires additional pressure to defecate.’

However, the study warns that when the external pressure is too high, this discomfort can lead to risks such as hemorrhoids, colon problems and anal fissures.

Not only this, but the study shows that the squatting method in the Indian toilet also reduces the time a person spends in the toilet as the stool passes easily without any obstruction.

An article published in the Journal of Advanced Medical and Dental Sciences Research states that using the Indian toilet prevents constipation and promotes proper digestion.

Along with this, some other studies show that ‘Indian-style toilets are difficult to use for the elderly and people with physical disabilities. On the other hand, we ourselves see in many homes that they find it more comfortable to use an Indian toilet than a commode.

According to Dr. Cavallozzi, “So regardless of which toilet you use, make sure to consume the right amount of nutrients in your diet to ensure that you can pass stool without any complications.”

A study published in July found that the squatting position of an Indian toilet does not always provide the sensation of complete cleansing or emptying of the stomach during bowel movements as it does in a Western toilet position.

That is, “it is a feeling that the stool has not been completely expelled. It is associated with constipation and digestive discomfort. This feeling was more common in people who used Western toilets.”

Dr. Cavallozzi says that “having a footrest can help to some extent” to deal with such discomfort.

“Studies show that elevating the legs on a small footrest or stool improves the anorectal angle, which can reduce the discomfort associated with using the commode,” he said.

The shift from squatting to chair-style toilets in India is related to global design.

In the past few years, most new apartments and offices have been fitted with chair-style toilets.

When asked if there could be a link between constipation, bloating and hemorrhoids, Dr. Cavallozzi said, “You can’t judge a person’s physical health based on their bowel movements alone. Diet, sitting habits and stress also play a role.”

Discussing the use of two types of toilet systems in India, he said, “If you follow the habits of eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water to maintain bowel health, then no matter what type of toilet you use, there will be no problem in getting rid of constipation problems.”