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Gastroenterologist shares 5 weird signs that indicate your gut is healthy
Gastroenterologist shares 5 weird signs that indicate your gut is actually healthy: From farting often to ‘ghost poop’
Gastroenterologist shares 5 weird signs that indicate your gut is actually healthy: From farting often to ‘ghost poop’
Your body tends to show signs of health through subtle, often unexpected signs. Dr Salhab shares 5 strange signs that indicate a healthy gut.
Updated on: Mar 06, 2026 5:28 PM IST By Eshana Saha Share via Copy link When it comes to digestive health, many people expect obvious signs such as feeling light, energetic or free from stomach issues. But the body often signals a healthy gut in ways that might seem surprising – or even a little embarrassing. From frequent farting to stomach rumbling and unexpected bathroom habits, some of these seemingly odd experiences can actually indicate that your digestive system is working exactly as it should. Read more to find out 5 weird signs your gut is working as it should! (Unspalsh) Also Read | Do you need to poop right after eating? Florida gastroenterologist explains why this happens and how you can manage it Dr Joseph Salhab, a Florida-based gastroenterologist and health content creator who specialises in digestion, liver, pancreas and nutrition health, has shared five unusual signs that may actually indicate a healthy gut. In an Instagram video posted on March 6, he breaks down some commonly misunderstood digestive experiences that can, in fact, signal that your gut is functioning well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Joseph Salhab (@thestomachdoc)1. Your stomach growls and rumbles
According to Dr Salhab, growling or rumbling sounds from inside your stomach can indicate the activation of the gut’s cleaning mechanism. The digestive tract has its own housekeeping system where contractions move along gas, fluid and leftover food through your intestines in between meals. The gastroenterologist explains, “It’s basically your gut’s cleaning cycle. Those sounds happen when waves of contractions move gas, fluid, and leftover food through your intestines between meals. This process – called the migrating motor complex – helps sweep bacteria and debris through the small intestine and eventually to the colon.”2. You fart a lot
A normal amount of flatulence throughout the day is actually a healthy sign, notes Dr Salhab, explaining that it indicates your gut bacteria are functioning as they should. Gas is produced when these microbes ferment dietary fibres, extract antioxidants from food and generate anti-inflammatory compounds during digestion. Flatulence, he says, is simply a natural by-product of all these processes. He elaborates, “Your gut bacteria are extracting antioxidants from your food, fermenting fibre, producing anti-inflammatory compounds, and producing gas as a byproduct. Most healthy people pass gas around 10 to 20 times per day, and it’s often a sign your microbiome is actively doing its job.”3. You poop shortly after eating or when excited
According to the gastroenterologist, this response indicates a strong gastrocolic reflex. He explains that eating or stimulation from excitement sends signals to the colon to contract and move stool along. This process helps create space in the digestive tract for the incoming food. Dr Salhab highlights, “This is the gastrocolic reflex. When your stomach stretches from a meal – or when your body is stimulated by things like excitement – it signals the colon to contract and move stool along. Your body is essentially making room for incoming food.”4. You have “ghost poop”
Dr Salhab describes “ghost poop” as the experience of having a bowel movement but finding virtually nothing to wipe afterwards. He explains that this happens when stool is well-formed and passes smoothly through the digestive tract without leaving much residue. According to him, it is often a sign of a healthy digestive system, reflecting adequate fibre intake, proper hydration and a well-balanced gut. He elaborates, “That’s when you poop and there’s almost nothing to wipe. Well-formed stool that passes easily and leaves minimal residue is often a sign of good fiber intake, hydration, and balanced gut bacteria.”5. You poop more than once a day
According to the gastroenterologist, many people assume that having a bowel movement once a day is the benchmark of good digestive health. However, he notes that going up to three times a day can still fall within the normal range. The more important factor is consistency – paying attention to how often you go, as well as the texture and overall consistency of your stool. Dr Salhab explains, “A lot of people think once per day is the rule, but pooping up to about three times per day can be normal. The key is that the stool should be formed and easy to pass. Frequent watery stools or diarrhoea would be abnormal.” Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eshana Saha Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More Bowel Movement Digestion Gut Microbiome Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs. News / Lifestyle / Health / Gastroenterologist Shares 5 Weird Signs That Indicate Your Gut Is Actually Healthy: From Farting Often To ‘ghost Poop’ See Less
When it comes to digestive health, many people expect obvious signs such as feeling light, energetic or free from stomach issues. But the body often signals a healthy gut in ways that might seem surprising – or even a little embarrassing. From frequent farting to stomach rumbling and unexpected bathroom habits, some of these seemingly odd experiences can actually indicate that your digestive system is working exactly as it should.
Also Read | Do you need to poop right after eating? Florida gastroenterologist explains why this happens and how you can manage it
Dr Joseph Salhab, a Florida-based gastroenterologist and health content creator who specialises in digestion, liver, pancreas and nutrition health, has shared five unusual signs that may actually indicate a healthy gut. In an Instagram video posted on March 6, he breaks down some commonly misunderstood digestive experiences that can, in fact, signal that your gut is functioning well.
The gastroenterologist explains, “It’s basically your gut’s cleaning cycle. Those sounds happen when waves of contractions move gas, fluid, and leftover food through your intestines between meals. This process – called the migrating motor complex – helps sweep bacteria and debris through the small intestine and eventually to the colon.”
He elaborates, “Your gut bacteria are extracting antioxidants from your food, fermenting fibre, producing anti-inflammatory compounds, and producing gas as a byproduct. Most healthy people pass gas around 10 to 20 times per day, and it’s often a sign your microbiome is actively doing its job.”
Dr Salhab highlights, “This is the gastrocolic reflex. When your stomach stretches from a meal – or when your body is stimulated by things like excitement – it signals the colon to contract and move stool along. Your body is essentially making room for incoming food.”
He elaborates, “That’s when you poop and there’s almost nothing to wipe. Well-formed stool that passes easily and leaves minimal residue is often a sign of good fiber intake, hydration, and balanced gut bacteria.”
Dr Salhab explains, “A lot of people think once per day is the rule, but pooping up to about three times per day can be normal. The key is that the stool should be formed and easy to pass. Frequent watery stools or diarrhoea would be abnormal.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: gut health,digestive system,bowel movement,gastrocolic reflex,flatulence,digestive health
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