Hydration: Supporting Bowel Health
Hydration: Supporting Bowel Health
Joy Stepinski, MSN, RN
July 21, 2026
During the summer, many people seek out water for recreation and relaxation. Whether swimming in a pool, running through a sprinkler, or sitting by the ocean, water offers calmness and serenity that are important for emotional health. While we naturally seek out water around us, drinking enough water for our bodies is just as important. Hydration plays a vital role in gastrointestinal health by preventing constipation.
One of the primary roles of the large intestine is to absorb water and electrolytes. When fluid intake is inadequate, the colon absorbs more water from stool as it passes through the large intestine. This leaves the stool drier and harder, making bowel movements more difficult while increasing the risk of constipation. In some severe cases, fecal impaction can result [1].
Each day, the colon reabsorbs approximately 5 L of water, including about 90% of the fluid remaining from undigested food [2]. The reabsorbed water returns to the bloodstream, where it is eventually filtered by the kidneys and excreted. Adequate water helps keep stool soft and promotes regularity.
Studies have shown an association between low water intake and constipation. In a Turkish cross-sectional study [3] of 4,561 adults, the prevalence of constipation was highest among subjects with the lowest water intake. Similar findings were reported in an analysis of 10,914 adults participating in the 2005 – 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [4].
Maintaining adequate hydration is one of several lifestyle habits that support gastrointestinal health. Drinking enough fluid helps the colon maintain proper stool consistency and promotes regular bowel function, especially combined with a fiber-rich diet and regular physical activity. This summer, as you enjoy the many bodies of water around you, remember to drink enough water to support healthy bowel function!
References:
1. Taylor, K., & Tripath, A. K. (2025). Adult dehydration. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/
2. Santucci, N. R., & Velez, A. (2024). Physiology of lower gastrointestinal tract. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 60(Suppl. 1), S1–S19. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17900
3. Yurtdaş, G., Acar-Tek, N., Akbulut, G., Cemali, Ö., Arslan, N., Beyaz Coşkun, A., & Zengin, F. H. (2020). Risk factors for constipation in adults: a cross-sectional study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 39(8), 713-719. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2020.1727380
4. Markland, A. D., Palsson, O., Goode, P. S., Burgio, K. L., Busby-Whitehead, J., & Whitehead, W. E. (2013). Association of low dietary intake of fiber and liquids with constipation: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The American journal of gastroenterology, 108(5), 796–803. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2013.73