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Health

Why intestine water

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In order for a person to live normally, eat and go to the toilet, a sufficient amount of water must be released into the intestines. But why does the bowels need water and what happens if it is not enough?

Consequences of water deficiency in the intestines

For fecal mass to form normally, you need dietary fiber, as well as enough liquid. These are two mandatory nutrition-related conditions that help in the fight against constipation and prevent their occurrence. When there is not enough water in the intestine, the intestinal walls begin to absorb it, and then the feces do not receive water. It becomes dry and moves poorly through the intestines, resulting in constipation.

Moreover, with a lack of water in the intestine, its walls begin to contract less actively, which is why the feces also move poorly.

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Why fecal masses are dehydrated?

This is due to the fact that the person:

  • consumes little fluid;
  • excessively loses it with urine and sweat;
  • the body does not have enough salts of magnesium and potassium, because of which the body is dehydrated;
  • there are few dietary fibers in the food consumed, because of which fecal masses cannot accumulate enough water;
  • There are too few pectins in food, which can be obtained from fruits and which have the beneficial property of retaining body fluids, for example, 60 grams of fluid per gram of pectin;
  • eats a lot of bran, which retain little liquid - more than 4 grams of water per 1 gram of bran, besides, bran increases the volume of feces.

When the doctor prescribes you treatment for constipation, he should, first of all, pay attention to the fact that there is enough water in the diet - this is how the intestines are saturated with water.

The importance of water in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation

Dehydration is a key factor in many health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, which is also known as IBS. If the body is "dry" or dehydrated, then it will be felt first in the large intestine.

Dryness in the colon can lead to inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Symptoms of IBS can then manifest even more.

Symptoms of constipation due to lack of water

Irritable bowel syndrome, also associated with constipation, may be aggravated by dietary and environmental stressors. Indeed, according to recent studies, about 50% of people suffering from stress, feel the worsening of symptoms of constipation during anxiety.

Symptoms of constipation, which particularly affect the processes in the colon, include:

  • Bloating, which often subsides during the night, but returns the next day.
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Diarrhea and / or constipation
  • Rectal pain
  • Desperate need to go to the toilet, especially after breakfast
  • Irritable bowel

The good news is that drinking 6–8 glasses of filtered or bottled water each day will certainly help maintain a healthy colon and moisturizing the entire body. In addition, water holds foods well in the intestines, such as brown rice, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

However, beverages such as tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated soft drinks and syrups act like diuretics on the intestines (diuretics). As a result, they take water and some useful minerals from the body, such as magnesium. Therefore, if you suffer from constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, you should try to avoid these drinks.

Having enough water in the body, you should help relieve the symptoms of constipation. In addition to this, it will allow your body to flush out toxins and effectively perform many of the metabolic functions necessary for good health.

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A sufficient supply of water is especially important for the intestines.

Without enough water, the contents of the intestines dry rather. Changes also occur in the mucous membrane of the colon, it becomes thicker and sticky, and does not provide a smooth lubricant for the passage of feces.

Exercise regularly, just be careful, because it stimulates muscle activity and helps peristalsis. Yoga is a good idea because it strengthens the muscles of the intestines and increases its mobility, without going beyond the capabilities of any person.

To give your intestines more attention, massage it gently in a clockwise direction around, to the right side and down, then to the left, gently but firmly.

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Supplements

There are two main ways to promote better bowel movement with supplements: with fillers or taking laxatives.

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Fillers

They include products such as flaxseed and plantain that are filled with plenty of water, and then the food swells inside the intestines. This allows you to soften the chair and provides the basic necessary strengthening of the intestinal walls. They can be very effective and have no side effects if taken with a sufficient amount of water.

These remedies are suitable for long-term use and will result in softer, more voluminous stools. For many people, this is due to some changes in the diet, they need to be disciplined to take these drugs, even if so far this has not been included in their eating habits.

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