5 Ingredients that Help Relieve Constipation

Being constipated can be quite bothersome. It is unfortunate, but sooner or later, everyone is forced to deal with this problem. But fortunately, there are natural methods to combat constipation and find relief. It’s just a matter of eating the right foods.

Prunes

Prunes, which are dried plums, are the penultimate form of constipation relief.  They have been used for quite some time as a means of inducing bowel movements; prune juice is sold in bottles all around the world just for this reason. They are so effective at relieving constipation due to having high amounts of insoluble fiber, called cellulose. The cellulose helps to raise the water levels in the stool to make your bowel movements more effective.

Figs

Figs are another great source of fiber that can lead to healthy bowel movements. Studies on fig have found that it can drastically increase bowel movements. These fruits also contain the enzyme known as ficain which helps to increase the functionality of the bowels.

Chicory

Chicory is a relative of sunflower and a powerful source of inulin, a soluble fiber. Inulin is a type of prebiotic; it stimulates the growth of good bacteria inside the gut. It also increases stool frequency, decreases intestinal and gut transit time, and improves the overall consistency of your stool along with its softness.

Beans

Beans, otherwise known as pulses are packed with protein and fiber, the two ingredients that make for a good stool. They are a mixture of insoluble and soluble fiber, which helps to alleviate constipation by increasing the weight and size of your stools. It also has the ability to soften them.

Sweet Potato

A medium sized sweet potato contains roughly 15% of the recommended daily fiber intake. This naturally aids your bowel movement.