Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. While most of the causes are benign, it can sometimes be a warning sign for more malevolent diseases like hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. In the US, people spend more than $250 million on constipation medications a year.
Methods of treating constipation depend on the underlying cause and the duration that it has been present. But there are ways you can relieve yourself of constipation at home. It is important to keep in mind, however, that if you’re suffering from other side effects, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you can.
We at Trends put together a list of foods that you can add to your diet and a few other ways you can say goodbye to constipation.
Alleviating constipation
Water
Constipation occurs due to dehydration in the colon. Keeping the body properly hydrated means that less water gets withdrawn from the colon. This keeps your stool soft and allows it to pass easier. It is advisable to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day for the body’s metabolism to work smoothly.
Yogurt
Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt, can ease digestive problems.
Blackstrap molasses
Blackstrap molasses is produced by boiling sugar syrup 3 times. This process causes it to contain a significant amount of vitamins and minerals (particularly magnesium) that help relieve constipation. One tbsp of blackstrap molasses before going to bed should help ease your constipation.
Sesame seeds
If you are suffering from constipation, sprinkle some sesame seeds over your salad, yogurt, or smoothie. One tbsp of sesame seeds contains about 1.1 g of fiber which aids in constipation relief. Another good choice can be pumpkin seeds. 1 oz of pumpkin seeds (about 85 seeds) contains a whopping 5 g of fiber.
Bananas
It’s a matter of timing. While unripe bananas can cause constipation, ripe bananas can help relieve constipation. So if you suffer from constipation, eat ripe bananas, but if you have frequent bowel activity, eat unripe bananas.
Prunes
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