7 Shocking Health Warnings: How Your Everyday Toilet Sitting Habit Silently Destroys Your Body -

For most people, using the toilet is a routine that hardly deserves a second thought. Yet, growing evidence suggests that how you sit on the toilet could be quietly damaging your health — and even contributing to problems like constipation, hemorrhoids, and chronic digestive discomfort.

Medical researchers have long debated the best posture for defecation, with several studies showing that the natural squatting position allows for a more complete and less strenuous bowel movement. The posture straightens the rectum and relaxes pelvic muscles, reducing strain and the risk of developing piles.

Pastor Chris Speaks on Toilet Usage

Recently, the discussion took a surprising turn when Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy, weighed in on the matter during the last Healing Streams Live Service. The global preacher, speaking to millions of viewers, said that “God originally prescribed squatting as the natural position for relieving oneself,” arguing that the modern toilet seat is “convenient but not helpful.”

While his statement may sound funny to sparked laughter online, medical professionals say there’s solid science behind his point.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that participants who used a footstool to raise their knees while sitting on a standard toilet experienced faster, easier, and more complete bowel movements than those who sat upright.

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“When you raise your knees slightly or lean forward, it mimics a squatting position,” explains Dr. Adaobi Chukwuma, a Public Health Practitioner, Yusuf Dahiru spoke in an interview with Fact Frontier.

“That small adjustment helps straighten the colon and reduces strain — it’s a simple change with big health benefits.”

He adds that prolonged sitting on the toilet can cause pressure to build up in the veins around the rectum, leading to hemorrhoids or “piles.” The common habit of scrolling through phones while seated for long periods only worsens the problem.

Pastor Oyakhilome, in his sermon, described this same issue from a spiritual and practical standpoint: “People spend up to an hour in the toilet because the design is wrong,” he said. “The body wasn’t made to sit that way.” He encouraged listeners to adopt a posture closer to squatting — either by raising their knees with a footstool or bending forward slightly — for a healthier experience.

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Health experts agree that simple habits can go a long way in preventing bowel issues. Drinking plenty of water, eating fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains, and responding promptly to the urge to defecate are all essential. Holding it in for too long, doctors warn, allows stool to harden in the colon, making it difficult to pass.

“Constipation is one of the most underreported problems in Nigeria,” says Dr Austeen Akha, Medical Director in Makurdi. “Many cases of abdominal pain, headaches, and fatigue trace back to irregular or difficult bowel movements.”

For those using modern toilets, the solution may be as simple as placing a small stool under the feet while seated, a practice now promoted by some physiotherapists and wellness coaches worldwide.

In essence, what Pastor Chris turned into a viral talking point may actually be a lesson in everyday health awareness. His advice aligns with medical recommendations that encourage people to return to the body’s natural design — a message that blends common sense, faith, and science.

“Sometimes,” Dr. Austeen says with a smile, “our bodies are wiser than our inventions.”