Too Hard, Too Soft, Just Right: the bear necessities of bowel chat

There’s no delicate way to put it—your poo matters.

Whether it’s too hard, too soft, or just right, your daily (or whenever-it-suits-you) deposit can reveal a surprising amount about your overall health.

How often you go, what it looks like, the colour, texture, smell, consistency—even whether it floats—can offer early clues about more than just your gut. It can reflect hydration, diet, stress levels, nutrient absorption, and sometimes more serious conditions.

If you’re an older person, changes in gut health might come with the territory. Our digestive systems tend to slow down as we age. We move less. We may take medications that cause constipation or diarrhoea. Hormone levels shift. We forget to drink enough water.

Put simply: your poo is your body’s daily progress report. And if you’re not paying attention, you might be missing some very helpful feedback.

So before you flush and forget, take a second look. Is everything looking… familiar? Or a little off?

If you’re not sure what “normal” looks like, consult the Bristol Stool Chart—a handy visual guide to what’s healthy and what’s not.

And if things aren’t looking quite right, don’t panic. Monitor. If the change sticks around, talk to your doctor.