How Do Bananas Help With Constipation?
Constipation is a condition characterized by irregular bowel movements. It makes the stool hard to pass. It can be triggered by various factors like a poor diet or a sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise). Bananas are often associated with relieving bowel conditions like constipation. Bananas benefi your health mainly because they are rich sources of fiber. Fiber-rich foods have shown to help combat constipation (1). Fiber is believed to promote absorption of water, thereby making the stool soft and easy to pass through the digestive tract. Wondering how much fiber is present in bananas? Let’s find out.
How Much Fiber Does A Banana Have?
A medium-sized banana contains about 3.1 grams of fiber (1). This makes it a wonderful addition to a high-fiber diet. While there are many claims that fiber can help treat constipation, some studies claim that bananas or other fiber-rich foods may have a reverse effect and can trigger constipation. What do bananas actually do? Do they help constipation or trigger it?
Do Bananas Make You Constipated Or Poop?
Some evidence hints that bananas help relieve constipation. However, some people believe that bananas are one of the foods that cause constipation. How do you determine whether you should consume bananas or not? Let’s look at a few facts. Green banana is a rich source of resistant starch, which contains fiber-like proteins. It helps promote digestive health and metabolism as it is great for your gut flora (2). The resistant starch acts like fiber and can help in relieving constipation. In some cases, green or unripe bananas have also been noted to help with symptoms of diarrhea (3). On the other hand, in a study, bananas were found to cause constipation. 29-48% of the respondents who took part in the survey considered bananas as constipating (4). Hence, whether bananas make you constipated or poop depends on your individual constitution. If bananas help in reducing constipation in your case, here are a few popular remedies you can try.
How To Have Bananas To Relieve Constipation
1. Banana And Honey
1-2 ripe bananas 1-2 teaspoons of honey Water (as required)
You can do this 1-2 times per day. Honey has a mild laxative effect that can help relieve constipation (6).
2. Papaya And Banana
1 cup of diced papaya 1 sliced banana Water (as required)
Drink this not more than twice a day until the symptoms subside. The digestion-enhancing properties of papaya work well in treating constipation (7).
3. Oatmeal And Banana
½ cup rolled oatmeal 1 big and very ripe banana ¼ cup water or milk Honey (as required)
You may have to do this 1-2 times in a day. Oatmeal is also a rich source of fiber. It can thus help alleviate the symptoms of constipation (8). Though many health professionals associate high-fiber intake with constipation relief, there is no sufficient evidence that proves bananas or fiber-rich foods actually help relieve constipation. A controlled trial was conducted on children of 4 weeks (6796), 6 months (9828), and 2.5 years (9452) with hard stool. It was found that at least 1% of the babies at 4 weeks and 12% at 6 months had hard stool when fiber intake was nearly negligible. At 2.5 years, when fiber intake was low, 28% still experienced hard stool. Additionally, heredity explained constipation in at least 59% of all age groups. After, knowing how to use a banana to relieve constipation, now you must be curious to know when you should have a banana to get the best out of it. Scroll down to know.
Best Time To Eat Bananas For Constipation
For constipation relief, consider having a banana before bedtime. This timing allows any natural laxative effects to work overnight, potentially making your morning bathroom routine more effective. It is a simple way to support a smoother digestion process. While bananas work their magic before bedtime, let us explore additional foods that can enhance digestion. Scroll down to discover more options that contribute to a smoother digestive process.
Other Foods That Offer Constipation Relief
Several foods are known to offer constipation relief by promoting regular bowel movements. Here are some examples of foods that make you poop (1):
Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, bran, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Prunes and apple, prune, and pear juices Kiwi Persimmons Probiotics Yogurt
How to have bananas to control loose motions? Here is a popular remedy. All you need are ½ cup of yogurt, 1 ripe banana, water, and 1-2 teaspoons of honey. Blend all the ingredients. Drink the yogurt and banana mixture. You can also simply slice the banana and mix it with the yogurt and honey and eat it. You can also consume powdered green banana to control symptoms of diarrhea. You may have to do this 1-2 times a day until your condition improves. Check out the video as it discusses how bananas serve as a natural remedy for constipation, providing insights into how they can help relieve symptoms and offering information on constipation treatments.
