A common alternative treatment is a colon cleanse, which some people believe clears the colon of waste and toxins. However, other from those recommended by physicians, there isn’t much scientific proof to back up the usage of colon cleaning practices.
The majority of what scientists know about safe colon cleansing comes from research aimed at improving the colonoscopy process rather than treating intestinal issues or increasing energy levels.
Colon cleaning techniques can be referred to by a variety of terms, such as:
Bowel cleanses
detoxes
flushes
diets based on juice
The majority of colon cleansing solutions claim to aid in colon detoxification or the removal of toxic materials like mucus and dry stool. To assist treat constipation, some people also employ colon cleanses.
The science underlying certain common colon cleaning techniques is covered in this article. We also take into account their possible advantages and disadvantages.
Water
One of the simplest and safest natural colon cleanse methods is to use water. Stool gains volume and moisture from water, which makes it easier to travel through the colon.
Because their body is attempting to retain water, a person who is dehydrated will have fewer bowel movements. It will cause the colon to reabsorb water, making the feces hard, dry, and challenging to pass.
Drinking lots of water throughout the day is essential, but each person has varied daily hydration needs.
A person’s daily water intake is influenced by other beverages, particularly caffeinated ones, but since plain water has no calories, it is the ideal choice.
Although the findings were not statistically significant, Jordanian researchers in 2013 discovered that consuming more than four glasses of water each day reduced the risk of colorectal cancer.
Constipation was found to be a major risk factor for colorectal cancer in the same study. Constipation may be avoided by consuming at least eight glasses of water each day, which also has several other health advantages.
Vegetable and fruit juice
Numerous components found in raw fruit and vegetable juices, such as fiber, phytochemicals (healthy plant compounds), and naturally occurring sugars that have laxative properties like fructose and sorbitol, may aid in colon cleansing.
Juice cleanse proponents suggest the following varieties:
apple with the skin on it
trim
Pear
banana
Kiwi
grape
Plum
The persimmon
Lemon
To aid in colon and digestive system cleansing, several colon cleanse regimens advise ingesting only liquids for a few days at a time.
Juice cleanses are often discouraged by health experts. Compounds that are harmful to the liver and kidneys may be present in raw fruit juices. These liquids can potentially cause illness if they are not treated to eradicate dangerous germs and viruses. For people with illnesses like diabetes, they might be quite dangerous.
To retain all the fiber, water, and nutrients, it is ideal to drink fruit and vegetable juices as smoothies.
Fiber
Because fiber gives feces more volume, it spends less time in the colon and a person has more bowel motions overall. Fiber is abundant in a variety of natural, whole foods, such as:
nuts
beans
seeds
Berries
Cereals and whole grains
Fiber supplements are an option for those who struggle to get adequate amounts of fiber via their diet. Typical fiber supplements consist of:
Metamucil, or psyllium
FiberCon polycarbophil tablets
Methylcellulose
Fermented foods
Probiotics, which are good microorganisms that support gut health, are frequently found in high concentrations in fermented meals.
These bacteria lower the risk of gas, bloating, constipation, and infection while assisting the intestines in routinely moving feces out of the colon.
Probiotic-containing fermented foods include:
Greek yogurt and yogurt
vinegar made from apple cider
Kefir
Skyr
Kimchi
Sauerkraut
Pickles
Miso
tempeh
Kombucha
Cider and beer
Certain kinds of cheese
Although probiotics may help prevent and perhaps treat colon cancer, additional study is needed to fully understand these effects, according to the report. Numerous additional advantages for general health and immunological function come from a healthy gut flora.
Juice from lemons
Drinking lemon juice on a regular basis helps improve digestive health. Because the molecules in the lemon interact more readily with the gut mucosa when people drink it on an empty stomach, it appears that people gain the most from this.
For several screening procedures, such colonoscopies, a clear colon is essential. On the night before a colonoscopy, the majority of patients must take a colon cleansing preparation.
In addition to the usual fluid combination of polyethylene glycol (PEG), one set of patients in a 2015 research on colonoscopies got a preparation of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Compared to the other groups, the vitamin C-taking individuals had superior bowel preparation.
Due to its high vitamin C content, lemon juice may be a useful natural colon cleaner.
Overview
Before beginning a colon cleanse, especially one that includes natural substances, always see a physician.
If someone decides to undertake a colon cleanse, they should be informed of the potential negative consequences, such weakness and diarrhea, and seek medical attention as needed.