Digestive Health Bentonite Clay Health Benefits and Side Effects By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH on March 23, 2020 linkedin Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH on March 23, 2020 Print Bentonite is a clay that is available in supplement form. The primary ingredient in bentonite is hydrated aluminum silicate. Other constituents in bentonite include calcium, magnesium, and iron (the composition varies according to the geographical location in which it is found). Once in the body, bentonite easily absorbs water. It remains in the digestive tract and is believed to bind and inactivate toxins and promote their excretion. Alternate Names: Bentonite clay, montmorillonite Jason7825 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Uses In alternative medicine, bentonite is used for the following purposes: DetoxificationConstipationIrritable bowel syndromeBloating and gas A large double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the use of bentonite clay in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Bentonite appeared to work best for people with constipation-predominant IBS. People taking the bentonite clay experienced a significant improvement in abdominal discomfort and pain. Bentonite users also reported significantly better symptom reduction and treatment efficacy with bentonite. However, this study has not been replicated. Bentonite is available in liquid or powder form. It is a popular ingredient in colon cleanse products. Caveats Bentonite should be taken with plenty of water to avoid intestinal obstruction or constipation. Pregnant or nursing women and the elderly should avoid bentonite. Bentonite should not be taken two hours before or after medication or nutritional supplements. Although there haven't been adverse effects in amounts used in nutritional supplements, there are no studies on the long-term safety of bentonite in humans. It's important to keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety, and dietary supplements in general are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances, such as metals, including lead. Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. Using Bentonite for Health Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend bentonite as a treatment for any condition. It's also important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you're considering using bentonite for any health purpose, make sure to consult your physician first. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Williams LB, Haydel SE. Evaluation of the medicinal use of clay minerals as antibacterial agents. Int Geol Rev. 2010;52(7/8):745-770. doi:10.1080/00206811003679737 Ducrotte P, Dapoigny M, Bonaz B, Siproudhis L. Symptomatic efficacy of beidellitic montmorillonite in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005;21(4):435-44. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02330.x FDA. FDA warns consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay.” Updated March 23, 2016. Additional Reading Abdel-Wahhab MA, Nada SA, Farag IM, et al. Potential Protective Effect of HSCAS and Bentonite Against Dietary Aflatoxicosis in Rat: With Special Reference to Chromosomal Aberrations. Nat Toxins.1998; 6:211-218. PDR Health. Bentonite. Santurio JM, Mallmann CA, Rosa AP, et al. Effect of Sodium Bentonite on the Performance and Blood Variables of Broiler Chickens Intoxicated With Aflatoxins. Br Poult Sci. 1999; 40:115-119.