What are stools?

The large intestine, aka the colon, absorbs water and compresses waste products of digestion to form faecal matter, also called stools.
The body cannot digest or absorb certain complex carbohydrates, known as dietary fibre. However, fibre facilitates the passage of stools and prevents constipation. The large intestine contains an enormous quantity of bacteria, which ferment most of the dietary fibre, helping keep the intestines healthy.

How does the body evacuate stools?

Stools contain residues that the body’s cells cannot absorb or use. They make their way to the anus to be expelled from the body. An average of 15 to 30 hours pass between when food is eaten and the expulsion of stools. Yet, only 20% of the residues are eliminated during this time. It takes 3 to 7 days for 95% of the residues to be eliminated.