Corn in the Toilet

You’ve seen it hundreds of times. Even those of you that don’t want to look…you just can’t help yourself.

It is actually a good and necessary thing that you check your bowel movements and recognize what is normal for you. Don’t be afraid or grossed out….okay sometimes maybe grossed out. But the key to staying healthy is paying attention to your body and its functions.

You know you chewed the corn thoroughly but yet you see what looks like whole kernels of corn in your poop. That’s the key….it “looks” whole.


A kernel of corn is actually a seed. An ear of corn has many seeds. Inside of each corn kernel is the germ, where the corn plant will develop from, and starch that the corn would use as food for a young plant. When we eat the corn the starch breaks down easily as we chew it and is what gives the corn its sweet taste.

The outside of the corn kernel is called the hull and is made up mostly of cellulose. Cellulose has a rubbery consistency and is not digestible by humans. When you chew the corn the outer hull stays intact while the inner starch is broken down, leaving a shriveled up empty sleeve that you swallow. Because our stomach acids and digestive enzymes can’t break down the cellulose the kernel passes through our entire digestive system without changing appearance.

But that empty hull is still benefiting the body as a source of insoluble fiber. As it passes through the digestive system on the way to elimination the insoluble fiber hull acts like a scrub brush to sweep your colon clean.

Which brings us back to the corn in the toilet that “looks’’ whole. As the empty hull sweeps through the colon it gets packed with waste and gives the appearance of being whole.

So keep eating corn and cleaning your colon!

Do you have a favorite corn recipe? Here is my Corn Salad recipe:

 

  • 1 bag frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 pkg cherry tomatoes
  • 1 part balsamic vinegar
  • 2 parts extra virgin olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

Slice cucumber and tomatoes. Put in bowl with corn. Mix balsamic and olive oil. Pour over corn mixture and stir. Add salt & pepper to taste. Serve!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *