Colon Awareness Day
OtherWhat Is Colon Awareness Day?
September 26 is Colon Awareness Day (Daicho wo Kangaeru Hi) in Japan, established by Morinaga Milk Industry and certified by the Japan Anniversary Association, aimed at creating an opportunity to think about colon health.
A Date Where Shape and Wordplay Overlap
The date September 26 layers together two images connected to the colon.
- Origin: Established by Morinaga Milk Industry and certified by the Japan Anniversary Association
- Shape: The colon's shape is said to resemble the numeral 9
- Wordplay: Based on reading 26 as furo, echoing the term flora in intestinal flora (choenai flora)
Paying Attention to a Part of the Body We Rarely Notice
The colon plays a role in the final stage of digestion and absorption, and it also serves as the stage for the intestinal flora formed by a huge variety of gut bacteria. This microbial balance is said to be deeply connected to overall health and immunity. This anniversary aims to bring attention to an organ that rarely crosses our minds.
How to Spend the Day
- Aim for a meal rich in fermented foods and dietary fiber
- Learn about how intestinal flora works
- Look into colon health checks and screening options
- Add foods with lactic acid bacteria, like yogurt, to your diet
A Nod of Gratitude to an Organ Shaped Like 9
Colon Awareness Day was born from the overlap between the colon's shape and a wordplay on intestinal flora, encouraging us to notice our own bodies. September 26 is a day to think about the colon's quiet, essential work.