Ever feel the need to rush to the bathroom right after eating? According to doctors, that’s not a problem — it’s a normal body reflex called the gastrocolic reflex, showing your digestive system is working properly.

“When you eat, your stomach expands to make room for food,” which triggers a signal from your brain to your colon to contract and “clear out any waste left behind from previous meals.” This helps make space for new food, not because your latest meal has already digested.

The stool you pass afterward actually comes from food processed “hours — or even days” earlier. The reflex varies from person to person; some barely feel it, while others experience a stronger urge, especially after big or fatty meals.

People with IBS often have a more intense reaction that can cause cramping or discomfort, but doctors say it’s manageable with mindful eating and proper care.

In short, that sudden bathroom trip isn’t your body malfunctioning — it’s “a sign that your digestive system is simply doing its job — keeping everything in motion, exactly as nature designed.”