If you often find yourself rushing to the bathroom immediately after a meal, don’t worry—you’re not the only one. And no, it’s not because your food is flying straight through your digestive system.
The real reason is something called the gastrocolic reflex—a normal bodily response that kicks in every time you eat.
What Exactly Is the Gastrocolic Reflex?
According to VeryWell Health, the gastrocolic reflex is your body’s way of making room for new food. When your stomach stretches after a meal, it sends signals to the brain, which then tells your colon to contract. That contraction triggers the urge to have a bowel movement.
In simple terms: what you’re passing isn’t the meal you just ate—it’s waste that was already sitting in your colon, made up of digested food and water.
Why It’s Stronger for Some People
For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the gastrocolic reflex can be much more intense. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, IBS can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. In these cases, colon contractions after eating may feel stronger, more painful, and more urgent.
How to Manage It
If this reflex is interfering with your daily life, small lifestyle tweaks may help. Dr. Salhab, the TikTok doctor behind the viral explanation, suggests avoiding common trigger foods and drinks, including:
- Fizzy beverages
- Alcohol
- Citrus fruits
- Dairy (for some people)
- Fried or fatty foods
Unfortunately, these are also some of the most tempting items on the menu—but cutting back may ease the post-meal bathroom dash.
