It sounds a bit bizarre that we would tell you to not sit on the toilet to go number two – but it’s not quite what you might be thinking. The normal way we probably all sit on the toilet, seated with our feet on the ground, is surprisingly not the way to go. Literally. In fact, this traditional posture that we might be accustomed to in Western culture is one of the least effective ways to go to the bathroom! Although it might sound strange at first, it’s clear once you do a little digging that we’ve all been taught wrong.

When sitting on the toilet, your body is at a 90-degree angle. This angle actually pinches and blocks the natural path of your intestines, which can be difficult for anyone, especially people with chronic constipation.

This isn’t just the least effective way to go, it can actually be harmful to your intestines, too. Sitting in this way can cause inflammation of the bowels, which can cause constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and even intestinal cancer.

So if we’re not supposed to sit down the way many of us were taught, what other way is there? Well, there’s the right way!

Rather than sitting, the appropriate posture for the human body to effectively defecate is a squatting position. This 35-degree angle doesn’t pinch the intestines close, and leaves a clear path for waste to safely and comfortably evacuate. Not only does this squatting posture help ease the go, it also saves you from the various increased health risks that the traditional seated posture could cause.

Although it sounds strange, consider the similar manner in which animals go to the bathroom. Scientists believe that this squatting position is an animal instinct, something that our bodies were designed to do but was changed throughout the course of history and technology. In fact, going to the bathroom in this position is considered normal in many cultures outside of the Western world, to the extent that children are taught to go squatting rather than any other way.

But considering that it’s unlikely the setup of our toilets will change worldwide, it may seem difficult to put this valuable information to good use. Not the case! There is an easy and cheap way to get your body into the ideal position while still using your toilet as normal – all you need is a step stool. (There is definitely a joke to be made in there).

Using a stool when you’re going number two is the best solution; the stool lifts your legs so you’re in the ideal position without uncomfortably squatted over the toilet! And while any old stool will do the job, you may have heard of a little thing called the Squatty Potty.

Whether you’ve heard of it or not, you’ll probably be wanting one soon. When Judy Edwards was struggling with constipation, her son suggested that squatting might help – and from there, the invention of the Squatty Potty was born. Since 2011, when the company began, the Squatty Potty has turned into a cult sensation, making over $30 million and helping thousands of people go.

Now, you don’t have to go get a Squatty Potty if you have a regular step stool around the house, but the product has been subject to rave reviews in the last five years. And, frankly, we’re curious about what the fuss is all about!

What do you think about this invention and this smarter way to go? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.