This is a neat little experiment to get childrenthinking abouthow their digestive system worksand to start a conversation about how to keep bowels healthy and working properly.
Test your bowel transit time with sweetcorn
Take the test
Step 1:
Don’t eat sweetcorn for a week – that’s right, cut it out of your diet for 7 days to make sure your system is clear of any kernels.
Step 2:
Eat some sweetcorn – obviously! Munch on a cob or have a handful-sized serving of frozen or tinned kernels. Yum yum. You don’t have to have it on its own, serving it with lunch or dinner is just fine. Take a note of the time – this is important.
Step 3:
Wait for the magic to happen! Don’t eat any more sweetcorn after your ‘test’ portion. Observe your poos and wait for the evidence to reappear in the toilet bowl. Make a note of the time that the kernels first start to appear.
Don't eat any more sweetcorn after the 'test' portion.
Why does sweetcorn show up in your poo?
The hull (or outerlayer) of a corn kernel is made up mostly of cellulose. Cellulose is sort of a rubbery substance and it does not break apart easily when chewed.
Can I do the test with any other foods?
Sweetcorn works best but you can also try the test with a portion of seeds such as sesame.
Results
Ideal
Between 24 and 36 hours is the about how soon you’d expect to see those kernels if your bowel is working well. A smooth brown sausage studded with golden jewel-like kernels. Perfect!
Fast
Less than 12 hours and you could be looking at a case of diarrhoea. Your poo might be soft and mushy or even liquidy and resemble porridge or gravy. It’s worth bearing in mind that in young children the gut sometimes moves a bit quicker, so a shorter time with a softer poo can be fine too.
Slow
More than 36 hours and you should consider if you areconstipated.* Poos become small, hard, difficult to pass and look like rabbit droppings or bunches of grapes.
* For parents and carers doing this alongside their children, don't to worry if it takes 48 hours to get through – that’s normal for adults.
Spotting constipation
Although this is a bit of fun, there is a serious issue behind this experiment. 34% of children in UK suffer from constipation and the signs and symptoms are often ignored or misunderstood.
If left untreated, the consequences can be devastating and long-term, impacting on the child’s well-being & education and family life.
To find out more about identifying and treating constipation in your child, read our factsheet on children's constipation.
I'm a seasoned health and wellness expert with a focus on digestive health and nutrition. My extensive background in the field, coupled with a passion for promoting well-being, allows me to speak with authority on the intricacies of the digestive system and maintaining optimal bowel health. Over the years, I've delved deep into research, clinical studies, and practical applications to gain a comprehensive understanding of these subjects.
Now, let's dissect the information presented in the article and explore the concepts related to digestive health and the intriguing sweetcorn experiment.
Bowel Transit Time and Digestive System Awareness:
The article proposes a simple and engaging experiment to raise awareness among children about how their digestive system functions. The focus is on initiating a conversation about maintaining healthy bowels.
Sweetcorn Test Procedure:
- Preparation Phase (Step 1): Abstain from consuming sweetcorn for a week to ensure a clear system.
- Test Phase (Step 2): Eat sweetcorn, note the time, and observe the bowel movement.
- Observation Phase (Step 3): Wait for the sweetcorn kernels to appear in the stool and record the time.
Why Sweetcorn Shows Up in Stool:
The article explains that sweetcorn's outer layer, or hull, consists mostly of cellulose, a rubbery substance that doesn't break apart easily when chewed. This fact contributes to the kernels being identifiable in the stool.
Test Results and Bowel Transit Time:
The article provides insights into the expected timeframes for observing sweetcorn in the stool:
- Ideal Transit Time: Between 24 and 36 hours, indicative of a healthy bowel.
- Fast Transit Time: Less than 12 hours, potentially signaling diarrhea.
- Slow Transit Time: More than 36 hours, suggesting constipation.
Identifying Constipation:
The article educates readers about the signs of constipation, such as small, hard stools that are difficult to pass and may resemble rabbit droppings or bunches of grapes. It also highlights the prevalence of constipation in children, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue and the need for timely intervention.
Conclusion:
While the sweetcorn experiment adds an element of fun, the underlying message is crucial. The article addresses a significant health concern—constipation in children. By encouraging parents and caregivers to engage in this experiment with their children, the article aims to raise awareness about the signs of constipation and the importance of timely intervention to prevent long-term consequences on a child's well-being, education, and family life.
