“The gastrocolic reflex is a physiological reflex that stimulates
movement in your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract after eating.
“It isn’t a disease or medical condition, but rather a normal reflex
that helps your body make room for more food within your GI tract afte
eating.” Dr Salhab breaks it down further, explaining ‘your stomach stretches
and then this sends signals to your brain which then sends signals to your colon’.
“Your colon then begins to contract to make more room for the food, that reflex
makes you have to use the restroom right after you eat,” he continues. “Because
your colon normally houses stool and water, the stuff that’s actually coming out
is old digested food and water.” People diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) can have a particularly sensitive gastrocolic reflex
