大便时不应坐着而应蹲着
Giulia Enders, a German microbiologist, claims that people in Western countries are emptying their bowels in totally the wrong way - and instead of sitting on the loo, we should be squatting.
德国微生物学家茱莉亚·恩德斯称，西方国家的人们大便的方式完全错误---大便时不应坐着而应蹲着。
Her book, Charming Bowels, which has topped the charts in her native country for several weeks, explores a number of gut health issues, from constipation to bacteria.
The overall message is that the gastrointestinal tract is 'the brain's most important adviser', affecting everything from mental to digestive health.
But there are also practical gems, such as how to poo properly.
Sitting is in fact all wrong, and actually prolongs the process, explains Ms Enders, who is studying in Frankfurt for her medical doctorate in microbiology.
It may also explain why haemorrhoids (piles) and painful bowel diseases such as diverticulitis are more common in the West than in Asia, she adds.
She said: '1.2 billion people around the world who squat have almost no incidence of diverticulitis and fewer problems with piles.
'We in the West, on the other hand, squeeze our gut tissue until it comes out of our bottoms.'
Instead, the correct way is to squat.
Although you can climb on your toilet seat and squat, the kink can also be ironed out by sitting with your feet on a little stool and leaning forward.