The bowel is part of your digestive system that works to digest the food you eat, absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, then process and expel waste the body cannot use.
The digestive system works by pushing food through the intestines, which usually takes between 24 to 72 hours.†
Food first passes from the stomach to the small intestine, where nutrients and most liquids are absorbed.
From here, the remaining waste passes to the large intestine - also known as the colon.
The colon's main function is to store, process and get rid of waste.
In the colon, the health of gut flora can make or break the process of expelling waste.†
Poor diet or regular stress can cause an imbalance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the gut, which can in turn lead to a backed up colon.
Finally, when waste makes it through your colon to the rectum, a signal is triggered to the brain that the colon is full and a bowel movement is required.
NOTE: It is very important to listen to your body and let bowel movements pass when the brain is signaled.