In fact, some research points out risks. Even so, a moderate intake of juices and juicing can be good for you.

Juice blends contain some fiber and nutrients that benefit digestion. They also hold water to help hydrate and keep up regularity. It can also help reduce constipation. Popular juices in juice fasts and cleanses include apple juice, lemon juice, and vegetable juices. However, smoothies over juices could be more beneficial for the colon and overall health.

Since pulp and skins are removed when juicing, juices contain less fiber. Fiber is great for the colon, and smoothies hold a lot more fiber. A study found that going on a fruit or vegetable diet for three days was associated with weight loss, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Just try including more in your diet, such as with a daily juice or smoothie. Resistant starches are similar to fiber. These promote a healthy colon by boosting gut microflora. There is a downside, though. Resistant starches are found in carbohydrates. Still, if following a low carb diet, you can choose options that cause fewer blood sugar spikes.

These include whole wheat, green bananas, or lentils. Adding probiotics to your diet is another way to cleanse the colon. This also boosts overall health in many other ways.

You can get more probiotics by taking probiotic supplements. Also, eat lots of probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, kimchi, pickles, and other fermented foods. Probiotics introduce good bacteria to the gut with the help of fiber and resistant starches.

These curb inflammation and promote regularity — two elements of digestive health related to the colon. Apple cider vinegar is also considered a probiotic and is included in colon cleanses. The enzymes and acids that apple cider vinegar contains supposedly suppress bad bacteria.

Currently, there are very few animal-based studies on this. Herbal teas may assist digestive health via the colon. Laxative herbs like psyllium , aloe vera , marshmallow root , and slippery elm may help with constipation. Make sure to talk with your doctor and follow directions closely before using these herbs.

And use them sparingly — otherwise, they can be harmful. Other herbs like ginger , garlic , and cayenne pepper contain antimicrobial phytochemicals.

These are thought to suppress bad bacteria. Interested in one of the above natural colon cleanses? Doing one in a gentle fashion at home is usually safe. Combining these with fasting, or increasing the frequency of their use, can have risks. If you have high blood pressure and must keep your sodium intake low , avoid salt water flushes.

Side effects or complications of colon cleanse may include:. If any of these symptoms occur , stop your cleanse immediately and talk with your doctor. These symptoms have the risk of leading to heart failure and digestive damage if the cleanse is continued. This includes bowel perforation , which can lead to sepsis.

An enema or colon cleanse used occasionally poses little risk for a healthy individual. But overuse can quickly lead to chronic constipation or even bowel injury.

Also, talk with your doctor before making major changes to your diet for colon health. This includes eating significantly more fiber, resistant starches, juices, and smoothies. Make sure to also be careful when using herbal teas for a colon cleanse. Some herbs can impede or affect certain medications.

Laxative herbs can also be harmful if overdone. If you have a chronic illness, speak with your doctor before doing a natural colon cleanse at home. Colon cleansing does not have research to support its use unless you have been diagnosed with constipation. The healthiest way to flush your colon is to drink more water and increase your fiber intake.

You can also include drinks like Keifer and foods like yogurt in your diet to improve the gut microbiome , and also make regular time for physical exercise. Try to have three or more bowel movements a week. Talk with a doctor about other ways to prevent constipation and avoid the overuse of laxatives.

Natural remedies may help you flush your colon, but if you want a complete cleanout, you may need to use over-the-counter medication like Miralax. This is something you should only do under the supervision of a doctor if there is a medical need for it, such as preparing for a colonoscopy, for example.

Your body systems typically work together to remove toxins from your body. You can support these natural body systems by staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, and getting regular physical activity.

Natural colon cleanses may help improve digestive health. Regardless, talk with your doctor to ensure that you have the greatest experiences possible using them.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Colon cleansing, also known as colonic irrigation, involves flushing the colon with fluids to remove waste. Detoxification detox diets and cleanses are more popular then ever before.

They are claimed to improve health by removing toxins from the body. The use of apple cider vinegar for detox goes back thousands of years. But the benefits are largely anecdotal. More research is needed. Blind loop syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when food stops moving through or slows down through part of your small intestines.

Energy drinks come with some potentially serious health risks. It seems that people experience the most benefit when they drink it on an empty stomach, which allows the compounds in the lemon to interact more easily with the gut mucosa.

Having a clean colon is crucial for certain screening tests, such as colonoscopies. Most people receiving colonoscopies have to consume a colon cleansing preparation the night before the procedure. In a study on colonoscopies, one group of participants received a preparation of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, in addition to the standard fluid mixture of polyethylene glycol PEG.

The participants who took vitamin C had better bowel preparation than those in the other groups. Australian research from found an association between herbal tea consumption and a lower risk of colon cancer.

Other natural teas, such as ginger or lemon tea, may also help digestion. There are currently no proven benefits of colon cleanses, natural or otherwise. However, people who promote colon cleanses claim that they provide major health benefits, including:.

People with preexisting bowel conditions should avoid bowel cleansing methods unless a doctor performs or prescribes them. Bowel cleansing methods, especially aggressive ones, can cause a flare-up of symptoms in people with specific conditions, such as:.

The United States Food and Drug Administration FDA do not regulate natural colon cleanse products. The FDA have also taken legal action against companies who were using unproven medical claims to promote cleanse products, stating that they could reduce the risk of cancer or treat serious medical conditions.

The U. National Institutes of Health also point out several possible risks of cleanses, including :. People with kidney conditions should avoid drinking large quantities of juice because it can contain too much oxalate, which can cause kidney problems.

People with diabetes and other metabolic conditions should also avoid detoxes or extreme diets and instead follow a healthful, doctor-recommended diet. It rarely contributes to long-term weight loss or well-being. Always talk with a doctor before starting a colon cleanse, even one that uses natural ingredients.

Anyone who does try a colon cleanse should be aware of the possible side effects, such as diarrhea and weakness, and seek medical care when necessary.

Parasite cleanses aim to rid the body of parasitic infections, such as worms. These products make more claims than research supports. Learn more about…. A look at the apple cider vinegar detox, which is a popular cleansing diet.

Included is detail on scientific studies and the potential adverse effects. Hydrotherapy of the colon involves flushing waste from the colon with water.

There is no evidence that it has health benefits, and it carries several…. An enema is a procedure that involves emptying the bowels with liquid or gas. People can use them in a medical setting or at home. The lemon detox diet involves drinking a lemon juice mixture for a set period.

There is no evidence to support the diet, and it can potentially be…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Natural colon cleanses: Everything you need to know. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Water Fruit and vegetable juice Fiber Fermented foods Resistant starches Lemon juice Herbal teas Possible benefits Safety and risks Summary A colon cleanse is a popular alternative remedy that some people claim removes waste and toxins from the colon.

Share on Pinterest Drinking water regularly can naturally cleanse the colon. Fruit and vegetable juice. Fermented foods. Share on Pinterest Tempeh is a fermented food that may benefit gut health. Resistant starches. Lemon juice. Herbal teas. Possible benefits of colon cleanses.

Share on Pinterest People who support colon cleanses claim they can improve energy levels, though there is no scientific evidence to prove this.

Safety and risks. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can purchase a colon-cleansing product, or you can get a colonic irrigation or enema. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for digestion as well. Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content.

This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons , tomatoes , lettuce , and celery. In fact, there are lots of foods that help cleanse the colon naturally through diet. You can also try a salt water flush. This could be an option for people experiencing constipation and irregularity.

In addition, there are anecdotal claims stories on the internet from people who believe saltwater flushes worked for them. Before eating in the morning, mix 2 teaspoons salt with lukewarm water. People often use sea salt or Himalayan salt.

Drink water quickly on an empty stomach, and in a few minutes, you may feel the urge to go to the bathroom. Do this in the morning and in the evening, and make sure to stay home near the bathroom for a while after the cleanse.

You may need to go to the bathroom multiple times. Fiber is an essential macronutrient to have in the diet. They also regulate constipation and overactive bowels while boosting helpful bacteria as a prebiotic.

Make sure to eat plenty of high fiber foods , which help a healthy colon. They can also be great for gut bacteria too. Juices are popular colon cleansers. These include fruit and vegetable juice fasts and cleanses like master cleanses. In fact, some research points out risks.

Even so, a moderate intake of juices and juicing can be good for you. Juice blends contain some fiber and nutrients that benefit digestion. They also hold water to help hydrate and keep up regularity.

It can also help reduce constipation. Popular juices in juice fasts and cleanses include apple juice, lemon juice, and vegetable juices. However, smoothies over juices could be more beneficial for the colon and overall health. Since pulp and skins are removed when juicing, juices contain less fiber.

Fiber is great for the colon, and smoothies hold a lot more fiber. A study found that going on a fruit or vegetable diet for three days was associated with weight loss, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. Just try including more in your diet, such as with a daily juice or smoothie.

Resistant starches are similar to fiber. These promote a healthy colon by boosting gut microflora. There is a downside, though. Resistant starches are found in carbohydrates. Still, if following a low carb diet, you can choose options that cause fewer blood sugar spikes.

These include whole wheat, green bananas, or lentils. Adding probiotics to your diet is another way to cleanse the colon.

This also boosts overall health in many other ways. You can get more probiotics by taking probiotic supplements. Also, eat lots of probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, kimchi, pickles, and other fermented foods.

Probiotics introduce good bacteria to the gut with the help of fiber and resistant starches. These curb inflammation and promote regularity — two elements of digestive health related to the colon. Apple cider vinegar is also considered a probiotic and is included in colon cleanses.

The enzymes and acids that apple cider vinegar contains supposedly suppress bad bacteria. Currently, there are very few animal-based studies on this.

Forgot Password. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. Submit Go back. โทรศัพท์ : Powered by Shopable. Colon Detoxification: Colon cleansing for optimal health The Benefits of Colon Detoxification Nowadays, our body is exposed to toxins through many different mediums, such as oral intake, inhalation and skin absorption.

Colon detoxification solves the problems mentioned above and offers other benefits such as: Excretes toxins and heavy metals with the feces. Removes the bad bacteria in the colon. Removes remaining food waste from colon folds.

Related videos. April 29, Wittawat Sithiwatcharapong,. Wit Sombatworapat. Theerasak Mongkol. Supajee Srigade. Sitt Tienthiti. Kawisara Limapichat. Chanin Leewanun. Jane Tiemrat. Chatchai Sribundit. Chantana Somphadung. Oranee Wibuloutai. Nont Rerktanom. Songsaeng Karnchanavisitphol.

SEND A MESSAGE Your email address will not be published. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Show references Colonic irrigation. Natural Medicines. Accessed March 31, Detoxes and cleanses. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed March 29, Mishori R, et al. The dangers of colon cleansing. Journal of Family Practice. Bazzocchi G, et al. Irrigation, lavage, colonic hydrotherapy: From beauty center to clinic?

Techniques in Coloproctology. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Mayo Clinic Diet Bundle.

See also A very happy brain Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider Candida cleanse diet CBD safety Colloidal silver supplements Detox foot pads Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?

Do infrared saunas have any health benefits? Prickly pear cactus Herbal supplements and heart drugs Kombucha tea Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective Kratom for opioid withdrawal Learn to reduce stress through mindful living Medical marijuana Meditation 2. Tai Chi and Cardiac Rehab Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?

Alternative psoriasis treatments Do zinc supplements shorten colds? Show more related content. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book.

FAQ Healthy Lifestyle Consumer health Expert Answers Colon cleansing Is it helpful or harmful. Show the heart some love! Give Today. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine. Find a doctor. Explore careers. Sign up for free e-newsletters. About Mayo Clinic.