Does Pooping Burn Calories

It’s a common and somewhat amusing question: does pooping burn calories? While it might sound like something out of a myth or internet rumour, there’s actually some science behind it. Like most bodily functions, digestion and elimination require energy but the amount of calories burned during a bowel movement is very small. It’s not enough to make any real difference to your daily energy expenditure or your weight.

The Body at Work During Digestion

Your body uses energy to power digestion. From chewing and swallowing to the stomach churning food and the intestines absorbing nutrients, it’s a complex process that burns calories. This is known as the thermic effect of food—the calories your body uses to digest, absorb, and process nutrients. For the average person, digestion accounts for around ten per cent of total daily energy use.

However, by the time you’re having a bowel movement, most of the energy burn has already happened. The act of pooping itself involves muscle contractions, known as peristalsis, and some mild exertion if you’re straining, but overall, the process doesn’t demand much from your body in terms of calories.

So, How Many Calories Are Burned?

The actual number of calories burned while pooping is minimal estimated to be in the range of one to two calories per trip to the toilet. Even if you’re in there for a while or exerting some effort, the burn is still too low to have any meaningful effect on your weight or metabolism. You’re more likely to burn more calories by walking to the bathroom than by the act of pooping itself.

If you have a gastrointestinal issue that causes frequent or intense bowel movements, such as IBS or diarrhoea, you might burn slightly more through muscular activity and fluid loss. However, in those cases, any weight change is more related to dehydration or reduced food absorption than fat loss.

The Myth of Weight Loss from Pooping

It’s true that you may weigh slightly less after going to the toilet, but that’s not fat loss. It’s simply the result of eliminating waste and water from your digestive system. The drop in weight is temporary and does not reflect a real change in body composition. As soon as you eat or drink again, your weight will return to normal.

This is similar to the kind of weight fluctuations people see throughout the day, caused by food volume, water retention, and other normal bodily processes.

Can Pooping Be a Sign of a Healthy Metabolism?

Regular bowel movements are a good sign that your digestive system is working properly. While they don’t burn many calories on their own, healthy digestion supports overall metabolic function. A diet high in fibre, hydration, and physical activity all contribute to regularity, and these factors also support healthy body weight and energy balance.

So, while pooping itself doesn’t help you burn fat, the habits that support healthy digestion can help with weight management and overall wellbeing.

Should You Worry About Calories and Pooping?

In short, no. Pooping is a normal bodily function and not something to measure for its calorie burn. If you’re looking to manage your weight, focus on overall lifestyle changes, what you eat, how much you move, your sleep, and how you manage stress. These have far more impact than the few calories used during a trip to the loo.

If you find yourself obsessing over small calorie burns like those from pooping, it may be a sign that your approach to nutrition or body image could use a reset. Talking to a nutritionist or health professional can help you focus on more meaningful and sustainable strategies.

Summary

Pooping does burn a small number of calories typically one or two per bowel movement but the effect is so minor it won’t influence your weight or fat loss. Any drop in weight after going to the toilet is simply the result of waste leaving your body, not actual fat loss. While digestion as a whole uses energy, the act of pooping is not a useful or relevant way to burn calories. The takeaway? Don’t sweat it. Focus instead on habits that improve your digestion, metabolism, and overall health in a more meaningful way.