what does the large intestine do

The large intestine mainly absorbs water and salts, houses helpful bacteria, and turns leftover food into stool for elimination.

Quick Scoop

• Recycles water and salts from what’s left after small-intestine digestion so your body doesn’t lose too much fluid.

• Absorbs some vitamins (like vitamin K and certain B vitamins) made by gut bacteria living there.

• Hosts gut bacteria that ferment undigested fibers and help keep your gut environment balanced.

• Forms and stores poop (feces) by compacting the waste and holding it in the rectum until you go to the toilet.

In simple terms

Food is mostly digested and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, and what’s left arrives in the large intestine as a liquid mix. The large intestine then pulls out extra water and minerals, lets bacteria finish breaking down some leftovers, and shapes the remaining waste into solid stool that you eventually pass out of your body.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.