Toilet paper barely gets soiled after a bowel movement? 'Ghost poops' don't necessarily mean your gut is healthy!

Have you ever finished using the toilet only to find your toilet paper barely soiled, or even noticed your poop floating in the water? This phenomenon is called a 'ghost poop'. Research suggests that floating stools might be caused by gas produced by gut bacteria breaking down food, and it doesn't necessarily indicate a health problem or prove that your gut is particularly healthy. As for toilet paper wiping clean, there's currently not enough evidence to link it to a balanced diet or gut flora. However, if your stools consistently float, are greasy, smell unusually foul, or are accompanied by chronic diarrhea or unexplained weight loss, you should be vigilant and consider seeing a doctor to check for issues like fat malabsorption. Simply put, don't worry too much if your poop floats or wipes clean, but if your bowel habits change persistently, don't ignore it!