Prune Juice: A Natural Cure for Constipation

Prunes and prune juice are excellent options for relieving constipation. They help the body function in a variety of ways and can even prevent the onset of certain diseases.

If you're constipated or simply have trouble having a bowel movement, now may be the time to look for ways to relieve digestive issues.

Read on to learn about prunes, now known as prunes ”) and the benefits of adding them to your diet.

Constipation is a condition that affects the gastrointestinal system, making it difficult to have bowel movements. Normal bowel movements vary from person to person, but if you haven't had a bowel movement in two or three days, you may be constipated.

Causes of constipation

There are many possible causes of constipation, including:

• lack of activity
• Diet low in fiber
• travel
• Consume lots of dairy products
• taking certain medications
• Have a medical condition such as pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, or neurological disease

Treat constipation

Constipation can be treated in a variety of ways. Increasing exercise, drinking more fluids, and giving yourself plenty of time in the bathroom may help.

Stimulating the gastrointestinal system may require some planning. To relieve constipation , you may need to add laxatives to your diet. Over-the-counter medications and natural remedies can also help. When you feel constipated, you may also consider stool softeners, fiber products containing psyllium, and high-fiber foods. Check out this list of 22 high-fiber foods.

Prunes and Prune Juice: Natural Remedies for Constipation

Constipation can be relieved by consuming prunes or prunes. Prunes and their derivatives, such as prune juice, may prevent constipation and may even prevent colon cancer, according to a study in Reviews of Food Science and Nutrition . The nutrients in prunes may also help manage obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Research also shows that using prunes and prune juice may be more effective than other methods of relieving constipation. A study in Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics noted that prunes were more effective than medications containing psyllium. Another study says prunes should be used as a first-line treatment for constipation.

Super fruit

Prunes are considered very beneficial to overall health. Prune juice is filtered so it doesn't High fiber content of prunes . However, due to their high content of sorbitol, both are laxatives. Prunes also contain:

• Iron, which helps prevent anemia
• Potassium, which contributes to healthy blood pressure
• A combination of sugar and soluble fiber that provides sustained energy
• Phenolic compounds that help prevent chronic disease
• Boron, which can help prevent osteoporosis

Recommended serving size

Prune juice is an effective treatment for constipation in both children and adults. When giving prune juice to babies, the Mayo Clinic recommends trying 2 to 4 ounces at a time and adjusting the amount as needed. For adults, drink 4 to 8 ounces of prune juice each morning to stimulate bowel movements.

Remember, more is not always better. Adding more fiber doesn't always help stimulate bowel movements. If you're dehydrated, extra fiber can make you feel worse. The important thing is to stick to just one serving a day, or six prunes.

If you experience chronic constipation, or if eating prunes and drinking prune juice does not resolve your problem, contact your doctor for professional advice. Also, be sure to talk to your doctor if you start to experience:

• rectal or abdominal pain
• blood in stool
• Elongated stool
• unexplained weight loss