The idea behind a colon cleanse is to give your body a little time to rest and heal from the toxins that you put into it each day. Processed foods, sugar and even dairy and cheese products can irritate the colon, causing constipation and bloating. Giving your body a rest from these types of foods will give the colon time to regroup and ultimately work better. The decision to drink alcohol during the cleanse will unlikely cause harm to your body but may slow the positive effects of the cleanse.
Types
There are many types of colon cleanses that take from a day or two to as long as 10 days. They can include varying degrees of fasting. Basically, a colon cleanse helps to remove all the waste products from nooks and crannies in the colon, making the absorption of nutrients more efficient once the cleanse is completed. This is completed by drinking copious amounts of liquids--usually salted water or water dosed with lemon juice, as well as teas and occasionally a prepared colon-cleanse solution. Using that information you can make the decision for yourself as to whether you want to introduce alcohol into your healing digestive tract.
Considerations
Feed your body nutritious foods while doing a colon cleanse, and you could have a little alcohol, if you choose to do so. Fruits, vegetables and brown rice will work with the cleanse to give your colon the rest it needs to heal. Drinking fresh fruit juice and lots of water will also help the cleanse, according to cleansing specialist Marty Meshek of Energy for Today. If you fill you body with healthy foods you may lose the craving for alcohol, or you may be able to tolerate some amount of alcohol.
Choices
If you decide to consume alcohol while cleansing, keep in mind that the the type of alcohol you drink will determine how much the cleanse is affected. Red wine is a good choice, because it has anti-oxidants that can help your body heal. You can also mix some vodka in some fresh orange juice to make it more cleanse-friendly. Stay away from beer and drinks mixed with high-sugar syrups, as they will do the most damage to the good thing you're trying to do with your colon. If you do consume alcohol during a cleanse, keep the amounts as minimal as possible.
Warnings
Alcohol can be toxic to the system, and for the time you're on the cleanse, as well as for several days afterward, your body may be more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, because a cleanse can enhance the absorption of material in the colon. Also, you will be eating less, so the alcohol will go through your system more quickly. If you drink during your cleanse, do so with caution.