. What is constipation? What causes it? ( courtecy;- medicineNet.com )

Top 12 Foods for Constipation Relief
Constipation is a common problem that everyone experiences once in a while. Find out which 12 foods provide relief. 

 






A woman with constipation pain.

12 Best Foods to Eat for Constipation Relief



A woman with constipation pain.

What is constipation? What causes it?




  •  
  • Constipation is a feeling of being unable to empty your bowels completely or regularly. A person is generally considered to have constipation if bowel movements are fewer than three times per week.
  • Constipation is a common problem, and everyone experiences it occasionally.
  • Symptoms of constipation include feeling unable to empty your bowels completely, stools appearing dry/hard/lumpy, stomach upset or cramps, bloating, and loss of appetite.
  • There are numerous causes of constipation including diseases of the digestive system and side effects of medications, but for most people, a dietlow in fiber may be the cause.
  • There are many foods a person can eat to help relieve constipation, for example, kiwi, popcorn, nuts, flaxseed, berries, dried fruit, and broccoli.
  • To prevent constipation, avoid foods that can make it worse, for example, bananas, gluten, caffeine, alcohol, and chewing gum.
  • Here is a list of 12 foods to eat to help relieve constipation. When planning a healthy diet, it helps to include plenty of high-fiber choices to help you stay regular and provide relief of constipation.



Almost everyone has suffered from constipation at one time; however, symptoms from complications of constipation include
  • hard stools;
  • anal fissures;
  • anal tears;
  • rectal bleeding;
  • hemorrhoids,
  • abdominal pain, discomfort, and swelling;
  • bloating; and
  • aggravation of hernias.
An assortment of multi-colored beans in bowls.

1. Beans for constipation relief




Beans have more than 10 grams of fiber per cup serving that's more than almost any other fiber source. Beans have a great mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which helps the food keep moving through the intestines to relieve constipation.
Take your pick:
  • baked beans,
  • black-eyed peas,
  • garbanzo beans,
  • lima beans,
  • pinto beans, or
  • kidney beans.
Add any of these to salads, soups, casseroles, or pasta.
A tray of sliced kiwi fruit.

2. Kiwi for constipation relief




  • The luscious green flesh of the kiwi may be just what the doctor ordered for constipation relief. One medium kiwi has about 2.5 grams of fiber and lots of vitaminsand nutrients that are important for good health, including the intestines.
  • A kiwi is a berry. And like most berries, it has edible seeds. You can even eat the peel, although most people prefer to eat just the flesh.
  • A 2013 study of adults reported in Advances in Food and NutritionResearch found that eating kiwi promotes regular bowel movements. A previous study by researchers in Taipei also found eating two kiwis a day increased the number of bowel movements in adults with constipation.

3. Sweet potatoes for constipation relief




  • One medium baked sweet potato with skin has 3.8 grams of fiber, which can help get things moving along. This high fiber content in sweet potatoes helps prevent and relieve constipation. The skin contains most of the fiber so leave it on for the biggest benefits.
  • Regular baked potatoes are also a good source of fiber, with 3 grams in a small baked potato. Leave the skin on, and high-calorie toppings such as butter or sour cream off.
Colorful bowls of popcorn.

4. Popcorn for constipation relief




  • Air-popped popcorn is a good choice for a high-fiber snack that can help provide relief from constipation.
  • A filling 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contains 3.5 g fiber, and less than 100 calories.
Stay away from movie theater popcorn or popcorn laden with butter as the high fat content not only contains lots of calories, the fat can cause constipation.







An assorment of nuts and seeds.

5. Nuts and seeds for constipation relief




Nuts are a filling food that is also packed with fiber to help ease constipation.
  • Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fiber than other nuts. Just 1 ounce of almonds (about 23 nuts) contains 3.5 g fiber, 1 ounce of pecans (about 19 halves) contains 2.7 g fiber, and 1 ounce of walnuts (14 halves) has 1.9 g fiber.
  • Seeds are another good fiber-filled choice for constipation relief. A scant 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds contains 1.1 g fiber, while 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds (about 85 seeds) has a whopping 5 g fiber. Sprinkle seeds on top of salads for added fiber and crunch.
Remember that nuts and seeds are high in calories, so keep portions small. Choose nuts and seeds that are raw or dry roasted, rather than roasted in oil.
Slices of whole grain bread and wheat husks.

6. Whole grain bread for constipation relief




Whole grains have lots of fiber, which is a good choice not only for the bowels, but also the heart.
  • Researchers at the University of Finland in Helsinki found whole grain rye bread to be better than wheat bread and laxatives for relieving constipation. They reported their findings in the Journal of Nutrition in 2010. Their subjects ate enough slices (12.3 grams each) to get 30 grams of fiber a day, but you don't have to eat that much for it to work.
  • Arabinoxylan, the main component of dietary fiber in rye, helps keep food moving through the intestine.
  • Ezekiel bread is another good choice for relief of constipation. It is bread made of sprouted whole grains and legumes, which provides a good dose of fiber and nutrients.

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A plate of pears, plums and apples.

7. Pears, plums, and apples for constipation relief




  • With the skin, an average pear provides 5 to 6 grams of dietary fiber to regulate the digestive system.
  • Pears also are great for babies with constipation. Look for baby foods with pears as an ingredient, and pear juice can also aid constipation in infants.
  • Fresh plums do not have much fiber, but dried plums – prunes – have as many as 12 g fiber per cup and are excellent for relieving constipation.
  • One large apple has more than 5 g fiber.

From WebMD Logo


  • Constipation is a feeling of being unable to empty your bowels completely or regularly. A person is generally considered to have constipation if bowel movements are fewer than three times per week.
  • Constipation is a common problem, and everyone experiences it occasionally.
  • Symptoms of constipation include feeling unable to empty your bowels completely, stools appearing dry/hard/lumpy, stomach upset or cramps, bloating, and loss of appetite.
  • There are numerous causes of constipation including diseases of the digestive system and side effects of medications, but for most people, a dietlow in fiber may be the cause.
  • There are many foods a person can eat to help relieve constipation, for example, kiwi, popcorn, nuts, flaxseed, berries, dried fruit, and broccoli.
  • To prevent constipation, avoid foods that can make it worse, for example, bananas, gluten, caffeine, alcohol, and chewing gum.
  • Here is a list of 12 foods to eat to help relieve constipation. When planning a healthy diet, it helps to include plenty of high-fiber choices to help you stay regular and provide relief of constipation.




Constipation Symptoms

Almost everyone has suffered from constipation at one time; however, symptoms from complications of constipation include
  • hard stools;
  • anal fissures;
  • anal tears;
  • rectal bleeding;
  • hemorrhoids,
  • abdominal pain, discomfort, and swelling;
  • bloating; and
  • aggravation of hernias.
An assortment of multi-colored beans in bowls.

1. Beans for constipation relief

Beans have more than 10 grams of fiber per cup serving that's more than almost any other fiber source. Beans have a great mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which helps the food keep moving through the intestines to relieve constipation.
Take your pick:
  • baked beans,
  • black-eyed peas,
  • garbanzo beans,
  • lima beans,
  • pinto beans, or
  • kidney beans.
Add any of these to salads, soups, casseroles, or pasta.
A tray of sliced kiwi fruit.

2. Kiwi for constipation relief

  • The luscious green flesh of the kiwi may be just what the doctor ordered for constipation relief. One medium kiwi has about 2.5 grams of fiber and lots of vitaminsand nutrients that are important for good health, including the intestines.
  • A kiwi is a berry. And like most berries, it has edible seeds. You can even eat the peel, although most people prefer to eat just the flesh.
  • A 2013 study of adults reported in Advances in Food and NutritionResearch found that eating kiwi promotes regular bowel movements. A previous study by researchers in Taipei also found eating two kiwis a day increased the number of bowel movements in adults with constipation.

Baked sweet potatoes on a cuttng board.

3. Sweet potatoes for constipation relief

  • One medium baked sweet potato with skin has 3.8 grams of fiber, which can help get things moving along. This high fiber content in sweet potatoes helps prevent and relieve constipation. The skin contains most of the fiber so leave it on for the biggest benefits.
  • Regular baked potatoes are also a good source of fiber, with 3 grams in a small baked potato. Leave the skin on, and high-calorie toppings such as butter or sour cream off.
Colorful bowls of popcorn.

4. Popcorn for constipation relief

  • Air-popped popcorn is a good choice for a high-fiber snack that can help provide relief from constipation.
  • A filling 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contains 3.5 g fiber, and less than 100 calories.
Stay away from movie theater popcorn or popcorn laden with butter as the high fat content not only contains lots of calories, the fat can cause constipation.

s

An assorment of nuts and seeds.

5. Nuts and seeds for constipation relief

Nuts are a filling food that is also packed with fiber to help ease constipation.
  • Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fiber than other nuts. Just 1 ounce of almonds (about 23 nuts) contains 3.5 g fiber, 1 ounce of pecans (about 19 halves) contains 2.7 g fiber, and 1 ounce of walnuts (14 halves) has 1.9 g fiber.
  • Seeds are another good fiber-filled choice for constipation relief. A scant 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds contains 1.1 g fiber, while 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds (about 85 seeds) has a whopping 5 g fiber. Sprinkle seeds on top of salads for added fiber and crunch.
Remember that nuts and seeds are high in calories, so keep portions small. Choose nuts and seeds that are raw or dry roasted, rather than roasted in oil.
Slices of whole grain bread and wheat husks.

6. Whole grain bread for constipation relief

Whole grains have lots of fiber, which is a good choice not only for the bowels, but also the heart.
  • Researchers at the University of Finland in Helsinki found whole grain rye bread to be better than wheat bread and laxatives for relieving constipation. They reported their findings in the Journal of Nutrition in 2010. Their subjects ate enough slices (12.3 grams each) to get 30 grams of fiber a day, but you don't have to eat that much for it to work.
  • Arabinoxylan, the main component of dietary fiber in rye, helps keep food moving through the intestine.
  • Ezekiel bread is another good choice for relief of constipation. It is bread made of sprouted whole grains and legumes, which provides a good dose of fiber and nutrients.

A plate of pears, plums and apples.

7. Pears, plums, and apples for constipation relief

  • With the skin, an average pear provides 5 to 6 grams of dietary fiber to regulate the digestive system.
  • Pears also are great for babies with constipation. Look for baby foods with pears as an ingredient, and pear juice can also aid constipation in infants.
  • Fresh plums do not have much fiber, but dried plums – prunes – have as many as 12 g fiber per cup and are excellent for relieving constipation.
  • One large apple has more than 5 g fiber.

From WebMD Logo

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