Various factors like diet and lifestyle may be responsible for constipation. While it may be embarrassing to discuss this issue with a healthcare professional or your loved ones, it is crucial to treat it early. That’s because, if left untreated, constipation can cause unwanted health complications and the more constipated you get, the harder it becomes to relieve yourself without medical intervention. A popular remedy is to drink prune juice. It has been studied quite intensively and shown to be effective against constipation. In this article, we talk about the ingredients you need to prepare and how to use them to relieve yourself and get your bowels moving smoothly again. Is prune juice good for constipation or not? Scroll down to learn more about it.
Does Prune Juice Help With Constipation?
Hannah Whittaker , Registered Dietitian, says, “Prune juice can be amazing to help with constipation.” It contains certain nutrients and compounds that make it an effective laxative aid. Here’s an insight into what prune juice contains that makes it so effective in treating constipation.
One of the best benefits of prune juice is its laxative property. Prune juice has a high sorbitol content, which makes it an effective laxative (1). Other sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose are quickly absorbed in the gut, but sorbitol isn’t. By staying in the gut, it opposes the absorption of water from the colon. Therefore, it decreases dehydration of stools and fights constipation. For those looking for the best juices for constipation, prune juice stands out due to this specific property.
Prunes are also known for their high fiber content (2). Opt for prune juice that includes its pulp to provide the much-needed extra fiber required to cure constipation. This nutrient passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed in the intestines and without breaking down. It helps in drawing water to the stools, making them softer and bulkier.
The phenolic compounds present in prune juice act as antioxidants that protect your body against cell aging and oxidative stress. A benefit of using phenolic compounds to treat constipation is that they function as stimulating laxatives (2). This results in the stools moving faster in the colon, thus causing them to be less dehydrated.
Quite obviously, there is a lot of actual scientific evidence that shows the efficacy of prune juice as a natural treatment for constipation (3). Research has shown that prune juice helps in increasing the fluid volume that remains in stools and, at the same time, causes contractions that stimulate bowel movement. Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) affects nearly 9-20% adults in the country. A 2018 population-based survey in the United States revealed that out of 4702 participants (2477 female and 2225 male) only 47.8% consume medications to manage the condition. In this 47.8%, 93.5 % took OTC medications and 5.2% followed the combined treatment of OTC and prescribed meds. Only 1.3% consumed prescribed meds alone. The study also found that 3 out 5 Americans never discuss their constipation symptoms with a healthcare provider. Discover how prunes and prune juice compare in alleviating this common digestive concern in the section below.
Prunes Vs. Prune Juice For Constipation
Prunes and prune juice are often used as effective remedies for constipation due to their high sorbitol and fiber content (2). Prunes retain their fiber, which adds bulk to stools and aids its movement through the digestive tract (4). They also provide additional nutrients like potassium and vitamin K that may improve your overall health (5). Prune juice, on the other hand, lacks the fiber bulk but has a higher sorbitol concentration that draws water into the intestines, softening the stool and facilitating smooth bowel movement. Prune juice may be more effective for quick relief. However, consuming whole prunes may be preferable for long-term digestive health. You can use the following effective prune juice remedies to help manage constipation.
How To Use Prune Juice For Constipation
Prune Juice As A Remedy For Constipation
1. Prune Juice For Constipation
You Will Need
A cup of prune juice
What You Have To Do
Drink this as and when it is convenient for you.
How Often You Should Do This
Have 3-4 cups of prune juice in a day.
Why This Works
The laxative effects of the components of prune juice will start showing results in a day or two. Shen-Li, the author of “Brainchild: Secrets to Unlocking Your Child’s Potential” shared her fears and experience related to post-delivery bowel function in a personal blog. She said, “There are a lot of good pooping foods that you can’t touch because they are considered “windy” and bad for the postnatal body. However, I have discovered one thing you can have that works marvellously – prune juice (i).” She adds that having three glasses of prune juice a day, alongside other treatments, helped her poop easily.
2. Milk Of Magnesia And Prune Juice For Constipation
You Will Need
1 cup prune juice 2 tablespoons milk of magnesia
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy should give you relief in 1-3 hours.
Why This Works
Milk of magnesia is chemically known as magnesium hydroxide, which is a common ingredient in commercially available antacids and laxatives. It draws fluids into the colon, causing easy movement of the bowels and inducing their evacuation (4).
3. Butter And Prune Juice To Get Rid Of Constipation
You Will Need
6-8 oz prune juice 1 tablespoon butter
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy will give you instant relief from constipation. Use it as and when required.
Why This Works
The oils from the butter make the passage of the stools smoother from your intestines (5).
4. Apple Juice And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
You Will Need
2-3 glasses prune juice 2 glasses apple juice
What You Have To Do
You can drink orange juice if you do not have any apple juice available. Moreover, orange juice for constipation is also effective and can serve as a good alternative.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this in the morning to relieve constipation.
Why This Works
This is a very effective remedy for those who suffer from chronic constipation or have not had bowel movement for 2 to 3 days. It kickstarts bowel movement even if you are suffering from a particularly severe case of constipation (6).
5. Olive Oil And Prune Juice For Constipation
You Will Need
1 tablespoon virgin olive oil A glass of prune juice
What You Have To Do
Mix the oil with the prune juice and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat after a few hours if required.
Why This Works
Olive oil promotes healthy digestion and lines the intestinal walls with fats to aid the quick passage of stools (7). Anecdotal evidence suggests that this natural remedy helps lubricate the gastrointestinal tract and your digestive system, making it easier for things to pass through the colon.
6. Coffee And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
You Will Need
1 cup prune juice 2 teaspoons instant coffee 1/4 cup hot water
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Drinking this once has shown results in hundreds of people.
Why This Works
The warmth of this concoction promotes stool movement and helps you defecate easily (8).
7. Prune Juice And Oat Milk For Constipation
You Will Need
1/2 glass prune juice 1/2 glass oat milk
What You Have To Do
Mix the two and drink this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every morning until your bowel movement becomes regular.
Why This Works
The combination of oat milk and prune juice is recommended for treating constipation. This mixture facilitates easy movement of the stools. Also, the high levels of fiber and sorbitol in prunes may aid in the laxative effect (9). Here are some common questions about using prune juice for constipation answered for you. Apart from drinking prune juice, you also need to adopt other healthy habits, including drinking at least two quarts of water and other fluids every day. This is important because dehydration, as you know, is one of the most common causes of this problem. Making lifestyle changes, like getting regular exercise, maintaining optimal body hydration, and eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is another great way to make sure that you keep your bowels in good working condition and get relief from constipation. Who should avoid prunes? Hannah Whittaker says, “Prune juice is high in sugar (although fruit sugar), so it should always be consumed in moderation. A daily serving would be a maximum of 120 ml. People with diabetes should be careful when taking prune juice as it could cause a spike in blood sugar.” Is prune juice good for your kidneys? According to Hannah Whittaker, “Due to their high levels of potassium, if you have concerns with the health of your kidneys, then prunes should be used in moderation. Recommendations are no more than 60 ml of prune juice per day.” Can prune juice hurt your stomach? “Yes, prune juice can hurt your stomach. Due to its high fiber content, if too much is taken, then it can cause wind, bloating, diarrhea, and general gastric upset,” says Hannah Whittaker. How long does it take for prune juice to make you poop? As we stated above, the response of your digestive system to prune juice may not be the same as seen in other people. In most cases, results are seen on the first day itself. How much prune juice should be consumed for it to work for constipation? The following amount of prune juice shows results in most cases (10): • Adults – 4 to 8 ounces • Babies – 2 ounces • Toddlers – 2 to 4 ounces • Pregnant Women – 4 to 8 ounces Can you drink too much prune juice? It is advised not to consume too much prune juice as it is extremely sugary and high in calories. Is it okay to drink prune juice before bed? Yes, it is okay to drink prune juice before bed. Does prune juice make you poop? Yes, the laxative properties of Prune juice help relieve constipation and aid in digestive processes.
Illustration: Ways To Use Prune Juice For Constipation & How It Helps
Facing the challenge of constipation? This informative video below can enlighten you on the potential relief that prunes can offer. Watch it now to explore their beneficial properties for this condition.
