Squat toilets prevalent in Asia better for your health?

By Shanghaiist on Jan 25, 2012

By Cal Widdall

squat-toilet-sign.jpg Hainan province's recent decision to build a 1.28million RMB gold toilet may have seemed like a logical, future-proof investment at the time, but the latest health findings suggest that squat toilets found throughout countries like China and India are actually better for your health. The science is explained on the website Slate:

People can control their defecation, to some extent, by contracting or releasing the anal sphincter. But that muscle can't maintain continence on its own. The body also relies on a bend between the rectum—where feces builds up—and the anus—where feces comes out. When we're standing up, the extent of this bend, called the anorectal angle, is about 90 degrees, which puts upward pressure on the rectum and keeps feces inside. In a squatting posture, the bend straightens out, like a kink ringed out of a garden hose, and defecation becomes easier.

One study featured in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (one of our favourite scientific journals) involved six easily-persuaded subjects having their rectums filled with contrast solution then filmed by X-ray as they released it. It was found that squatting reduces the amount of straining involved, thereby diminishing the chances of developing hemorrhoids.

It must be noted, however, that there is also evidence of negative side effects to the 'natural' method, including knee osteoarthritis, bilateral peroneal nerve palsy, along with developing a chronic tendency to cop a squat in public.

If your household is being torn apart due to those all-to-common arguments regarding the healthiest method of defecating, there is now a solution in the form of 2-in-1 toilets. For a highly recommended visual instruction of how these devices work watch the video below (along with it's dramatic mafia-esque soundtrack which sets the tone perfectly).


(h/t @raykwong)


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Comments [rss]

  • Peanut_Butter
    "...along with developing a chronic tendency to cop
    a squat in public."
    LMAO
  • destroy_all_humans
    i like to do handstands while going. butt seriously, if you have to go either method works well. it's more important to go regularly than how you do it.
  • By using made up statistics and data in conjunction with unscientific evidence, it is possible to prove that squat and plop toilets are indeed, better for you health.
  • in squalid squat toilets your main worry may be getting your shoes and pants full of cack, in sitting ones it may be giving your bum a cack ring. i do not like squats, but I know that it make for an easier release, for sure. just to give an example, do you stand upright like a bolt on the john, or do you lean forward when it gets a bit tough? on the whole I have prefered clean sits and filthy squats if no clean sits. knees cannot take much squatting.
    re squat related bone problems, check any archeologist they can tell you that they can determine how much squatting was done based on amount of knee and joint injuries seen on the skeleton bones.
  • yeah, how do you expect old people with knee problems to bend over?

    I swear the squatting toilet is one of the worst human inventions ever...
  • BBC_Redux
    I am a keen trekker, and many of the places I have been to, like the Himalayas, Africa and other places, I actually avoid Western toilets but prefer the squat because my ass does not need to touch the toilet seat. It is more hygienic.
  • but sure you can wipe the toilet seat before using the toilet, no?
    I mean, I walk around with some of those wet tissues when I was in E. Europe, for instance
  • BBC_Redux
    The "western toilets" in 3rd world countries can be very filthy, I doubt you can do the job with swipes, you'd probably have to replace the seats. Squats are still common in much of Japan and even in Paris.
  • its a hygiene problem then,
    not a toilet design problem...
    still think there is better way to s**t than squat
  • BBC_Redux
    Yes, I agree, but I have boot marks on Western Toilet seats, whuch suggest some people actually prefer squatting.
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