A third of the solid components are bacteria. They are gut flora that have ended their careers in the digestive business and are ready to retire from the workplace. Another third is made up of indigestible vegetable fibre. The more fruit and vegetables you eat, the more faeces you excrete per bowel movement. Increasing the proportion of that food group in the diet can raise the weight of a poo from the average 100 to 200 grams, to as much as 500 grams per day. The remaining third is a mixed bag. It is made up of substances that the body wants to get rid of — such as the remains of medicines,
...more
