Flushing the large intestine is generally viewed dubiously among medical professionals. They believe the health benefits are largely overstated or false, and there are many helpful bacteria in the tract that are also washed away.
Proponents of the act point out that it’s been practiced for a long time and note that doctors use rectal suppositories to administer drugs rapidly. They also believe that undigested foods can cause mucus buildup in the colon, which can produce toxins that enter the bloodstream, causing all sorts of issues, including fatigue, weight gain, headaches and general low energy.
Overall, colon cleansing product manufacturers make broad statements on the health benefits of the practice, reports WebMD. The purpose of the cleanse is to remove waste from the colon walls, which practitioners claim can improve the body’s vitality.
Researchers at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and Providence Hospital begged to differ, issuing a report on colonics in the Journal of Family Practice. They determined that colonic cleanses with water, herbal remedies and other supplements don’t achieve much, other than discomfort.