How long does it take the large intestine to digest food?

The large intestine does not digest food. Its main role is to absorb water from the food residue and to store the faeces until they can be eliminated. However, the large intestine does contain some bacteria that can ferment some of the food residue, releasing gases and producing some short-chain fatty acids that can be used as an energy source by the cells of the large intestine. The small intestine is responsible for the majority of digestion and nutrient absorption.