3 Juices Good for Constipation Relief

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Certain juices, including prune juice, may help relieve symptoms of constipation. The laxative effect can vary by the amount of fiber and other nutrients they contain.

Many people experience constipation from time to time, and it can be uncomfortable.

In general, occasional constipation occurs when waste moves through your digestive system too slowly. It can build up and become hard and dry, making stool difficult to pass.

When you need relief, there are some home remedies that can get things moving again, like sipping certain juices.

Constipation is usually defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. Even if you’re going to the bathroom somewhat regularly, trouble passing your stools may be another sign of this condition.

The symptoms of constipation include:

• infrequent bowel movements
• hard or lumpy stools
• straining to have bowel movements
• feeling blocked up or like you can’t fully empty your bowels
• needing help to empty your rectum, such as with your hands or fingers

If you decide to try drinking juice to relieve constipation, keep in mind that a small amount of juice may be all you need.

For best results, the Cleveland Clinic recommends adults drink just a half to a full cup of juice, once per day, preferably in the morning.

In general, aim to drink eight or more cups of liquid each day to help stay regular.

Prune juice

The most popular juice to relieve constipation is prune juice. Each 8-ounce glass contains about 2.6 grams of fiber. That’s about 10 percent of your daily requirement.

While the fiber may bulk up your stools, the sorbitol in the prune juice helps soften them, making them easier to pass. Prune juice is also a good source of vitamin C and iron.

Eating dried plums or prunes is another way to ward off constipation. In fact, one 2011 study suggests that prunes should be considered a first-line therapy when dealing with mild to moderate constipation.

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Apple juice

Apple juice may provide you with a very gentle laxative effect. It’s often recommended for children who have constipation because it has a relatively high ratio of fructose to glucose and sorbitol content.

But for this reason, it may also cause intestinal discomfort in large doses.

You might think that eating applesauce would help constipation, but that’s not the case. Applesauce contains a higher level of pectin than apple juice.

Pectin is a substance that will add bulk to your stool. It becomes firmer and more difficult to pass, making it a better choice after episodes of diarrhea.

Buy apple juice here.

Pear juice

Another great option is pear juice, which contains four times more sorbitol than apple juice. This juice is also often recommended for children who have bouts of constipation.

Pear juice isn’t as rich in vitamins as prune juice, but many kids prefer its flavor.

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Other beverages

You may also get some relief from mixing a squeeze of lemon juice into a glass of warm water. Other beverages that may help include coffee, teas, and warm or hot fluids in general.

It’s best to stay away from carbonated drinks until your constipation clears up.

In a study from 2010, researchers found that certain juices can help increase the water content and frequency of bowel movements. These juices contain sorbitol, which is a nonabsorbable carbohydrate.

Juice can be a convenient remedy to try at home. Most pasteurized juices have the potential to help relieve constipation. But juices that contain naturally-occurring sorbitol, including prune, apple, and pear juices, may be more effective.

Juice is a good option for people of most ages but not necessarily for infants. Constipation in infants typically starts to happen after the introduction of solids.

Contact your baby’s pediatrician for instructions on what you can give to your baby if they’re constipated.

Speak with your doctor if you’re constipated but have concerns about drinking juice. If you have a condition that requires you to follow a restricted diet, juice may not be a good option for you.

For example, if you have diabetes, your doctor or dietitian might advise you to avoid beverages that contain sugar, including juice.

The American Diabetes Association suggests choosing juices that are 100 percent juice with no sugar added. On average, 4 ounces — about half a cup — of juice contains about 15 carbohydrates and 50 or more calories.

In general, it’s a good idea to limit your juice intake. An excess of the sugars contained in juices, like fructose, can cause abdominal troubles due to malabsorption.

Children under age 10 are particularly vulnerable to gastrointestinal distress. It often presents as diarrhea and stomach pains.

Occasional bouts of constipation usually aren’t a cause for concern. But when constipation occurs frequently or lasts for several weeks or longer, other complications can arise.

The complications of constipation can include:

• hemorrhoids
• anal fissures
• fecal impaction
• rectal prolapse

Some people are at higher risk of constipation, including:

• older adults
• women
• people who are dehydrated
• people with poor diets
• people who don’t get enough exercise
• people who are taking certain medications, such as sedatives and narcotics

Along with consuming more fluids and fruit juices, you can make other lifestyle changes that may help your constipation.

• Try getting more exercise, like walking, most days of the week.
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you get enough fiber.
• Don’t hold in bowel movements. If you feel the urge to go, head to the bathroom as soon as you can.
• Sprinkle a few tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran on your cereal, smoothies, and other foods.

If lifestyle choices don’t help, contact your doctor. You may have an underlying issue that’s causing your constipation. Your doctor may also talk to you about treatment options to help you become regular again.

Monitor your bowel movements to see if the juice is helping. Even if you don’t notice a difference, it’s best not to increase your intake. Drinking more juice could lead to diarrhea and other types of abdominal discomfort.

If you notice a sudden change in your bowel movements, it’s a good idea to see your doctor for a checkup, especially if the change is ongoing or causing you discomfort.

Tell your doctor if your constipation symptoms persist for three months or more. You may have chronic constipation. It’s a good idea to let your doctor know if you have notable and persistent changes in your bowel habits.

Foods for Constipation | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Featured Expert:

• Emma Slattery, RDN, LDN, CNSC, CSO

If you are experiencing constipation ― difficult or infrequent bowel movements ― what you eat can make a difference. Certain foods can help bring about relief, while others can make the problem worse.

Emma Slattery, a clinical dietitian at Johns Hopkins Medicine, provides insights on foods that help with constipation and foods to avoid when constipated.

Diet and Constipation

Constipation can be occasional or chronic, and causes range from a sedentary lifestyle to gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But in almost every case of constipation, food is an important factor.

According to Slattery, fiber is a major component of foods that relieve constipation, and of poop itself. She notes that in addition to adding bulk to the stool, fiber and high-fiber recipes provide other digestive benefits:

• Fiber supports the microbiome: the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.
• Fiber also helps gut motility: the coordination of muscle contractions in the intestines that push food along the digestive process.

Foods High in Fiber

Slattery explains that there are two types of fiber found in food: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Foods rich in one or both kinds can relieve both occasional and chronic constipation.

Insoluble Fiber

“Insoluble fiber is what we think of as roughage. This is the material from food that your body cannot break down in digestion,” she says. “It leaves the body pretty much as it goes in.”

Foods high in insoluble fiber include:

• Skins and seeds of fruits and vegetables
• Popcorn
• Leafy greens
• Nuts
• Dried fruit

Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber, on the other hand, is a type of fiber that dissolves in water. “When dissolved in water in the digestive tract, soluble fiber forms a gel that adds bulk. The gel also acts as a natural stool softener, making bowel movements easier and more comfortable to pass,” Slattery says.

Soluble fiber can be found in:

• Whole grains
• Apples
• Bananas
• Cooked vegetables
• Oatmeal

Some of the recommended foods for constipation include both types of fiber. For example, potatoes and apples have soluble fiber inside, and insoluble fiber in the outer skin.

Eat more fiber to relieve constipation.

If you’re dealing with occasional constipation, upping your fiber intake for a few days to get back onto a more normal-for-you bowel movement schedule can be sufficient.

For chronic constipation, Slattery suggests consulting with a dietitian who can help you create a more fiber-rich, long-term eating plan. She recommends working up to 25–30 grams of fiber a day for women and 30–38 grams for men.

Increase fiber gradually.

But, she advises, when making dietary changes, easy does it.

“If you are used to eating a diet low in fiber, incorporating a lot of fiber all at once can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, cramping or bloating to actually worsen. The goal is to gradually add in more high-fiber foods so your digestive system has a chance to acclimate.”

High- Fiber Recipes

Are there foods that make you poop instantly?

Slattery says prunes and prune juice live up to their reputation as foods to help constipation due to a unique ingredient.

“In addition to fiber, prunes are rich in a naturally occurring sugar alcohol called sorbitol,” she explains. “Sorbitol molecules do not break down in digestion, and when they reach the colon, the body wants to get rid of them, and the reaction can result in a bowel movement.”

Slattery says apple juice also contains sorbitol, but in lower amounts. “For people who don’t like prunes or prune juice, apple juice can be an alternative.”

What else helps with constipation? Natural Laxatives, Water and More

In addition to increasing fiber, Slattery recommends some other strategies.

Sip a hot beverage.

People who want fast constipation relief can also try drinking hot beverages, especially caffeinated ones like coffee or regular tea. “The temperature of the liquid can speed up digestive motility, and caffeine stimulates the bowels as well,” Slattery says.

Use caution with natural laxatives.

Commercially available constipation supplements with psyllium husks or guar gum, when used occasionally and as directed, are safe for most people. But she recommends using caution when considering other herbal supplements, pills, powders or laxative “teas,” especially for long-term use.

“Some of the so-called ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ constipation remedies are poorly researched and regulated,” she notes. “Some can cause diarrhea, cramping, bloating and even more serious digestive problems. ”

Drink more water for constipation.

She also stresses the importance of adequate hydration. Water is essential to helping fiber work its magic.

“The large intestine draws water out of the stool before it’s passed out of the body. So if you are dehydrated due to exercise, hot weather, a medical condition or just not drinking enough water, you can end up with hard, dried-out stool that is more difficult to pass.

“As you increase your dietary fiber, it’s important to increase your hydration at the same time,” she advises.

Can exercise help constipation?

“Absolutely yes,” says Slattery. “Physical activity is essential. Even if you do not feel like exercising because you are constipated and bloated, moving your body will help you move your bowels.”

Foods to Avoid When Constipated

High-fat foods ― those rich in oil, butter and grease ― can contribute to constipation.

If you are chronically constipated, overeating fried food, processed meats, commercially baked goods and other high-fat items may be responsible. Slattery cites cheese as a particular constipation culprit.

“Really high-fat foods slow down digestion,” she says. “Fats are tricky to digest, and take a long time for the body to break down. Also, most high-fat foods are low in fiber and delay motility.”

Q & A: Diet and Constipation

Q. If someone is constipated, does it matter when they eat?

A. “There is not much research around this. But, we know the process of eating stimulates the digestive system end to end, so at least theoretically, keeping a regular daily meal schedule could support regular bowel movements.”

Q. Are there particular diets that cause constipation?

A. “The keto diet, with its high levels of fat, can definitely cause constipation. If you are on a ketogenic diet for health reasons and become constipated, work with a dietitian or doctor to balance your dietary needs with some low-carb fiber sources, such as leafy greens.

“The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one we recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.

“Intermittent fasting can have variable effects on bowel movement regularity since there are so many different schedules to choose from.”

If you have questions about constipation and diet or any other aspect of nutrition and how it might affect your health, consult a clinical dietitian or a doctor.

Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work?

Many diets focus on what to eat, but intermittent fasting is all about when you eat. Research shows that intermittent fasting is a way to manage your weight and prevent — or even reverse — some forms of disease. But how do you do it? And is it safe?

Learn about intermittent fasting

Causes of children’s constipation and treatment – Encyclopedia Baby food

Levchuk Victoria ©

The child did not have bowel movements for 3 or more days – is it normal or constipated? Infrequent bowel movements of the child hard and dry – the norm or constipation? Find answers to these questions and learn all about constipation in babies.

There are many causes of infantile constipation. One of the most common causes of constipation in children is the introduction of solid foods.

Table of contents:

• Introduction of solid foods – breastfed infants may be more prone to constipation when complementary foods are introduced. This is because their tiny tummies only absorb mother’s milk easily and well.
• Diets low in fiber
• Diets with excessive amounts of dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)
• Foods such as bananas, applesauce, cereals, bread, pasta and white potatoes may contribute to or cause constipation

A change in diet usually relieves constipation. The following tips will also help to cope with constipation in a child.

How to treat constipation in babies

There are many remedies that can help relieve constipation in a child. You can change the way you feed your baby and/or do some exercise.

Exercises to help relieve constipation in babies include:

• Stomach Massage – Gently massage and rub the baby’s stomach in a clockwise direction. Put your hands on the navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hands, from the center of the baby’s abdomen.
• Bicycle (Legs) – Place the child on his back and keep his legs slightly bent. Carefully begin to move the child’s legs, as if he were riding a bicycle. Also, the “bike” will help relieve the colic of the child.
• Warm bath – Some health professionals suggest giving a child with constipation a warm bath. The idea is to help the child relax and “get the ball rolling”. And then do a tummy massage when the baby cools down.

Relieve constipation in infants under 4 months of age:

Do all of the above exercises. Be sure to check with your pediatrician about the advisability of introducing new foods/fluids to help relieve constipation. It should also be taken into account that if the child farts, then most likely there will be a bowel movement soon, because before the introduction of complementary foods, the baby may not go to the toilet for up to 5 days, which means that the milk is completely absorbed.

Relieve constipation in infants 4 to 12 months+ by changing dietary intake

Adding more fiber to a child’s diet will help get things moving. Try foods that are high in fiber, such as:

• apricots
• prunes
• peaches
• plums
• pears
• peas

9001 1 spinach

For older children who are just starting complementary foods, you can avoid foods such as rice, applesauce and bananas in baby food as they can aggravate constipation.

If the child suffers from constipation, then it is necessary to put him on the opposite diet from BRAT.

BRAT diet is used to treat diarrhea in young children because the foods in it help to thicken the stool. The easiest and most natural way to remember how to help relieve constipation in a child is to avoid foods that affect him! BRAT diet suggests eating:

• Bananas,
• Rice,
• Applesauce and
• Toast

If you ever forget what foods you should give up in your diet, then just remember the name Brat diet!

Barley or oatmeal, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots, and most vegetables are preferred foods when a child is constipated.

Juices are useful, especially apple or plum juices, but should be used in moderation as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breast milk.

Why can I give my child apple juice but NOT applesauce?

There is a difference in the amount of sugar and pectin in apple juice and apple puree.

Apple juice contains more sugar and liquid, so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole fruit. It may contain higher levels of pectin – and can lead to constipation.

Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect, which can help provide relief from bowel movements commonly experienced by young children.

Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to the stool and, with its cleansing action, will stimulate intestinal motility. They have a laxative effect, but are also used to help people return to normal eating habits after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

Pectin is found in apple fiber, which is probably why whole apples thicken stools. In addition, the same pectin is an excellent prophylactic against constipation, so that the intestines work regularly and prevent constipation. However, it must be understood that this will help prevent constipation by helping to keep the intestines in good condition, but will not help relieve constipation.

When it comes to proper bowel function, apples contain two types of fiber; insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber works like roughage, while soluble fiber (pectin), which is found primarily in the skin, acts as a stool softener by drawing water into the stool and increasing stool bulk. Since pectin strengthens excessively loose stools, it is also used to treat diarrhea.

It must be remembered that a pediatrician’s consultation regarding the introduction of complementary foods for the baby and discussion of any new products, in order to avoid food allergies, is mandatory.

Constipation in breastfed and formula fed babies

Breastfed babies may become constipated when complementary foods are introduced, but not as severely as formula fed babies. When breastfeeding, babies experience less discomfort with stools, since breast milk is almost 100% completely digested and used by the growing body of the child. Breast milk leaves little “residue” to cause constipation. Many breastfed babies have infrequent bowel movements, but this does not mean that they are constipated.

Formula-fed babies tend to have more constipation than breastfed babies. Unlike breast milk, formula is not easily absorbed by the body and is not completely absorbed and used by the baby’s body.

Excessive consumption of rice cereals, bananas and applesauce and other similar foods are among the most common causes of constipation.

Some products strengthen, others weaken, why?

10 Oct 2022 18:35:00

Simply put, easily digestible foods containing little fiber do not make the intestines work and strengthen accordingly (rice, white bread). Products
containing a large amount of fiber and coarse fibers (vegetables and fruits) weaken. By irritating the intestinal walls, they cause it to contract, pushing food through
forward.

As a natural remedy for constipation and to stimulate work
intestines in a child, use the extraction of vegetables and herbs (squeeze juice from carrots, parsley, beets and other vegetables, the remaining fibers and there will be coarse fibers in a clean
form).

An exercise that stimulates intestinal motility helps with constipation in a child: bend the left leg and right arm and reach with the elbow to
knee 15 times, then vice versa.

If the child has constipation, half a glass of warm water on an empty stomach in the morning will help. And then, during the day, you can add a little (for a child 3
years, no more than 1 tsp) of vegetable or olive oil in food (for example, in stewed vegetables).

Baked apples and pears (pectins) are also useful for constipation. But raw grated
an apple on an empty stomach (a recipe that helps with constipation in adults) is strictly forbidden for children. Since children already have an increased level of gastric secretion.

“Which foods strengthen and which weaken?”

Fortify:

Eggplant

Biscuits (from premium flour)

Gran at

Fatty meat

Mashed potatoes

Meat broth (strong)

Mint tea

Bananas (underripe, green)

Pears (underripe, hard)

Oak bark decoction

Rice (white, not washed)

premium flour)

Chamomile tea

Tea

Persimmon

Blueberry

Aronia

Chocolate

Applesauce (namely puree!)

Weak:

Apricots

Avocado

Pineapple

Oranges

Bananas (
overripe, soft)

Cherry

Peas

Pears (overripe, soft)

Melon

Cabbage (boiled)

Kiwi

Strawberries

Zucchini

Seaweed (kelp)

Tomatoes

Beans

Cherries

Prunes

Spinach

Apples (whole)

Sour milk
products , from the date of manufacture of which no more than 1 day has passed – weaken.