Quick Take
A social media post claims that performing coffee enemas can detoxify your body at once. We fact-checked and found this claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
In a Facebook reel, the narrator starts by saying, “Yes, pouring a quart of coffee up your butt sounds weird, but it’s one of the fastest and most effective ways to get rid of a whole lot of toxins all at once, and it’s really not that big of a deal.”
A caption section reads, “There’s a reason enemas have been practiced for thousands of years, and coffee enemas were in mainstream medical literature for most of the previous two centuries…Before mainstream medicine decided to only push petrochemicals it could patent and make obscene amounts of money from that.”
Fact Check
What is an enema?
An enema is a medical procedure that involves introducing liquid into the rectum and colon through the anus. The liquid is typically a solution of water, saline, or other substances. These are commonly used to relieve constipation, to prepare for certain medical procedures, or as a means of delivering medication when oral medication is not possible. Enemas can be administered by a healthcare professional or self-administered at home using an enema kit. It is essential to follow proper hygiene and safety procedures when performing an enema.
Can coffee enemas detoxify our bodies safely?
No. A coffee enema is a type of alternative medicine procedure which is used to cleanse the colon. During the procedure, a mixture of coffee and water is inserted into the colon through the rectum. Coffee enemas have been used in the past. They became popular in the 1920s by a german scientist, Max Gerson, who claimed that coffee enemas were more effective than standard saline enemas. However, there’s no scientific evidence that proves or disproves that coffee enemas are helpful in detoxifying the body or treating any medical condition.
It must be noted that colon cleansing is not considered necessary as our digestive system and bowel already eliminate waste material and bacteria from our bodies. Furthermore, no evidence exists that it prevents disease or improves health.
A systematic review published in the year 2020 states that based on unresolved safety concerns and insufficient evidence regarding its effectiveness, it does not endorse the self-administration of coffee enemas as a complementary and alternative medicine practice for self-care purposes.
Moreover, self-administering enemas can lead to numerous complications. If an enema is improperly administered, it can harm the tissues in the colon or rectum, resulting in bowel perforation, and lead to infections if the equipment is not sterilized. Moreover, the prolonged and regular use of enemas can result in imbalances in electrolytes. They can also cause temporary side effects, such as bloating and cramping.
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