The effect of Water and Colon 

Most humans do not get the water that we require to completely flush all of the waste and toxins out of our bodies. What we don't realize is the detrimental effects this has on our bodies - especially our colons. We often mistakenly think that we are getting plenty to drink, simply because we do not feel thirsty. Unfortunately, this is not a correct assumption. 

Experts agree that we need eight full glasses of water every twenty four hours. They also agree that if we drink coffee or tea, we need an additional glass of water for each cup of coffee or tea that we drink. If we smoke, we need an additional glass of water for each cigarette. If you smoke and/or drink coffee or tea, you could be consuming a great deal of water! 

But this water intake is vital to the proper operation of our very complex human systems - even if you don't feel thirsty. Dehydration has nothing to do with thirst, and few people realize this. Many people also mistakenly believe that they are tending to their bodies need for water by drinking beverages that have water as an ingredient, such as sodas, coffee, or tea. Again, this is not a correct assumption. What your body needs is pure water.

A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is high in fiber, which, in the presence of water, speeds up the movement of the fecal mass through the colon, decreasing the contact time between the colon mucosal cells and the stool stream.   Bacteria numbering in the trillions make up most of the colonic biomass, dietary constituents not digested in the upper GI tract come into contact with these microorganisms.  Fiber passes down and makes contact with colonic bacteria, where hydrogen gas is released on breakdown of carbohydrate.   This reaction scours free radicals and, together with fiber-induced celerity of the fecal stream, decreases the contact time of carcinogens with the cells lining the colon, reducing the chances of mutation or induction of neoplastc change leading to colon or rectal cancer. 

Eating a diet rich in fiber, vegetables and whole grains and 6 to 8 glasses of H₂O daily helps reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer.^1,2