It’s not some myth drawn from thin air, but in fact a science supported fact, reported by Mercola.com.

Human anatomy is naturally developed to be comfortable with the squatting posture

The squatting posture originates right from when we’re in our mother’s womb as babies. Any other position adapted for excretion other than squatting disturbs the normal human system, thereby causing health problems.

It also provides complete relaxation to the rectum

In western toilet, in order to sustain continence (self-control) the puborectalis muscle chokes the rectum, leaving the latter in severe tension. However in Indian toilets, the squat relaxes the puborectalis muscle that in return straightens the rectum, thereby allowing proper and unrestricted bowel movement.

The most important part of good motion is complete evacuation, and sitting position obstructs that

The western style posture denies your colon from receiving enough support from your thighs, leaving you to have incomplete excretion. This makes the waste stick to your colon wall, and extended exposure to such toxins increases the risk of colon cancer. However, Indian style squat helps in easier, faster and more complete excretion, which is a result of keeping the rectum in less tension and more relaxed.

Conventional sitting posture also cause your nerves to get extremely stretched and go through extreme pressure

On the contrary, using Indian toilets protect your nerves that manage your prostrate, uterus and bladder from getting stretched and destroyed.

Squat safely seals your ileocecal valve, present in between your colon and the small intestine

But, western style sitting position leaves the valve unsupported, thereby contributing in the contamination of the small intestine. This can give rise to intestinal infections.

Alongside intestinal infections, sitting also gives rise to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), appendicitis and  hemorrhoids

Squatting thwarts ‘fecal stagnation,’ a significant factor in IBD and appendicitis. It is a condition that occurs due to accumulation of toxic wastes in the colon from incomplete evacuation. 

Might come as a shock, but squatting position used in Indian toilets is good for pregnant women as well 

It is suggested that squat during pregnancy is highly effective because it cancels out the pressure on the uterus during excretion. Furthermore, maintaining daily squatting also prepares and makes it easier for pregnant women to have a more natural delivery.

So, next time you cringe seeing an Indian toilet know that it’s actually ‘good’ for your body. 

All images sourced from Giphy, unless specified otherwise.