Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Juices for Constipation: 5 Juices to Improve Bowel Movement

By Yvonne Ejiofor
03 October 2017   |   7:00 am
They say the root of good health lies in your gut. If your digestive system functions with regular bowel movements, in all probabilities, your overall health would be good. So, if you have less than three bowel movements in a week or hard stools, you may be constipated. Many people try out different home remedies…

They say the root of good health lies in your gut. If your digestive system functions with regular bowel movements, in all probabilities, your overall health would be good. So, if you have less than three bowel movements in a week or hard stools, you may be constipated. Many people try out different home remedies such as drinking juices for constipation relief.

How Juices Help Relieve Constipation?

Do juices really work for constipation and are they suitable for people of all ages? Yes, juices do relieve constipation to some extent. However, they are not useful for all age groups, especially infants. Before we proceed with juices for constipation relief, we should know what causes constipation.

There are various causative factors of constipation. The primary factor is the lack of a proper diet and exercise. If your diet lacks fiber and fluids, you are bound to be constipated. Not having enough movement or not getting enough exercise also lead to slowed bowel movements.

Juices for Constipation Relief

Source Wikimedia

Normally, if you start exercising and add fiber and fluids to your diet, you will notice improvement in your bowel movements within a few days. However, if you do not find any difference after making these lifestyle changes, there could be an underlying reason for the constipation such as hypothyroidism, certain medications such as iron supplements, neurological conditions, and more. This is precisely when you should consult your doctor for the right diagnosis and medication.

 

List of Juices that Help with Constipation Relief

Here’s a complete list of juices for constipation for you to try out if that is not a chronic problem with you or there is no other underlying cause of constipation in your case.

1. Prune Juice

Prunes or dried plums contain sorbitol, fiber, and phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acids in good amounts. These phenolic compounds may also serve as a natural laxative. One can use fresh plums as well.

2. Apple Juice

How Apple Juice works for Constipation Relief? Apple juice contains sorbitol and soluble fiber which help relieve constipation. However, make sure to include the skin in the juice as it contains maximum amount of fiber.

3. Banana Juice

Ripe yellow bananas help deal with constipation. On the other hand, unripe bananas are used to treat diarrhea. Ripe bananas contain some amount of tannins, soluble sugars, and soluble fiber.

Unripe bananas contain starch and tannins in high amounts which may aggravate constipation. This is why only ripe bananas are recommended to treat constipation.

 

 

4. Grape Juice

Grapes have decent amount of fiber and are generally considered a mild laxative. Grapes are often a part of detox diets and are known to cleanse your system.

Grapes are known to have many other health benefits may be useful in preventing certain types of cancers.

5. Pear Juice

Pear juice is used for better bowel movements and is a topic of research. Pears are a rich source of fiber and have higher amounts of these than apples.

The fruit is also watery. Pear or pear juice should be consumed along with its skin.

Drinking juices for constipation might help owing to their sorbitol and fiber content if it is merely due to lifestyle issues. However, do not overdo it as drinking these juices in excess may result in diarrhoea. It is best to drink homemade juices without straining, to retain maximum sorbitol and fiber from the fruits.

Also, drink them fresh and consume within a day or two. Do not refrigerate for more than 24 hours, else it may lead to food-borne illnesses. As far as possible, avoid packaged juices as they may contain huge amounts of added sugar and preservatives.

Juices for constipation are not meant for infants. If your baby is constipated, it is best to consult a pediatrician for other suitable home remedies or medication.

0 Comments