They Made Themselves Billionaires Out Of The Asian Squat

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Living in Asia can be quite challenging... Especially when it comes to going to the bathroom. For many in Asia, doing a ‘number two’ involves sitting in a position the Western World is not quite used to. Whilst seated toilets have become quite common in Asian households these days, the squat is still the preferred way of defecating in many homes and public toilets in the region. So, things could get embarrassing if you can’t do a proper Asian squat.

Photo credit：英国大家谈

A proper Asian squat is difficult for a lot of Westerners, but according to science, the Asian squat is way better for your health than sitting.

For instance, did you know that the squat position is actually helping you to make it easier to go?

In a study conducted by Israeli researcher Dov Sikirov, it was shown that defecation is a lot easier squatting than when seated. The study involved 28 participants who were asked to sit on toilets of different heights (42cm and 32cm high) including a plastic container where they were told to squat.

They then recorded how long their bowel motions took and how difficult their efforts were for six consecutive bowel motions per posture. Findings showed that the average time for passing a bowel motion during squatting was 51 seconds, compared to the average times for the lower and higher toilet seats: 114 and 130 seconds respectively. Further studies also hypothesized the link between sitting on toilets to a range of complications from heart attacks to hernias and colon cancer.

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=z07286i4abx&width=500&height=375&auto=0

If you’ve heard of the Squatty Potty, then you’ve probably seen this ads. In the ad, a prince explains the science behind bowel movements and why the Squatty Potty stool can make them better. At the same time, a unicorn demonstrates beside him by pooping rainbow-colored soft serve. The visuals are certainly memorable, but is the Squatty Potty stool the gift to your bowels that it claims to be? The short answer is: possibly, or at least for some people.

Photo credit：英国大家谈

This “toilet tool” actually follows a simple but rigorous scientific basis.

The new family firm Squatty Potty made 33 million dollars worth of sales in 2017. It’s an original product from Judy Edwards, a mother in Utah, who had been troubled by constipation, and it was getting worse. Her doctor advised her to use small stools to raise her knees to relieve the pain of defecation. Judy tried this method and found that 'the world was different." Her daughter Bobby Edwards saw a business opportunity and decided to make something big. And it went viral. In 2011, Squatty Potty's first year sales volume was $17 thousand, followed by an astonishing growth to $19 million in 2015, and close to $33 million by the end of 2017.

Photo credit：英国大家谈

In order to maintain a marketing balance between humor and health, the family invested $250 thousand in advertising on Youtube, using the protagonist of a handsome prince and a magical unicorn, who together have gotten over 100 million views and boosted the sales fiercely.

Photo credit：英国大家谈

Great minds clearly think alike, as about 30 yeas ago, Rob Wait, a carpenter from New Zealand, was obsessed with squatting toilet after a trip in Asia. So he decided to make his own squatting toilet. At the beginning, he just sold the product in the health food store. As the business grew, he seized the opportunity and push the brand Lillipad to the world.

Photo credit：英国大家谈

Lillipad is now selling their products in more than 40 countries in the world, including Botswana in Africa, Estonia in Eastern Europe and  Russia, but the largest market for Lillipad is in the United States and Australia.

Photo credit：英国大家谈The message Rob wants to let everyone know the most is that "squat toilets are good for you.”
Photo credit：英国大家谈

So have you changed your mind and are you ready to practice the Asian squat now?

Source：Umedy, Nomad, Wellnessmama，英国大家谈

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