Constipation is a medical condition in which the bowel movement is slow, and passing stools becomes difficult. However, it is not a life-threatening condition and can be treated by making lifestyle changes (1).
Laxatives can help relieve the condition, but the relief is short-term, and there may be a few side effects (2). You can try out some home remedies to treat this problem. In this article, we will discuss homemade juices to treat constipation, their dosage, and benefits.
1. Apple Juice For Constipation
Ingredients
- 1 apple, seeds removed
- ½ teaspoon fennel powder
- ½ cup water
How To Prepare
- Roughly chop the apples and toss them into a blender.
- Add the water and give it a spin.
- Pour out the juice into a glass.
- Add the fennel powder and stir well.
Why This Works
- Apples are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins (4). Having an apple as a whole or in the juice form can help prevent constipation (3).
- Fennel seed powder is rich in dietary fiber (5). It helps in retaining water in the stool, facilitating smooth bowel movement and preventing constipation (6).
2. Grape Juice For Constipation
Ingredients
- Freshly picked black grapes
- ½ inch ginger
- Black salt to taste
- ½ cup water or as per the desired consistency
How To Prepare
- Destem the fresh grapes and wash them properly.
- Add grapes, ginger, and water to a juicer.
- Give it a spin. Pour it in a glass without straining it.
- Sprinkle black salt as required.
Why This Works
- Grapes contain a lot of water and fiber, which is important to hydrate the body and bulk up the stool (3), (7).
- Grapes contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that holds more water and facilitates easy passage of stools. It is a cost-effective natural laxative to treat constipation (8).
3. Orange Juice For Constipation
Ingredients
- 1 cup roughly chopped oranges
- A pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
- Toss the oranges into the blender or Nutribullet.
- Give it a spin.
- Pour the juice into a glass.
- Add a pinch of black salt and stir well before drinking.
Why This Works
- Oranges are a rich source of vitamin C, minerals, and dietary fiber (9).
- The dietary fiber helps to retain water and adds bulk to the stool, thereby stimulating bowel movement (3).
Juice Dosage For Constipation
You can have one cup of juice every day. Try to include the pulp and do not add extra sugar. You can add spices, such as cumin and fennel. These may aid in flushing out toxins from the colon. Drink the juice for constipation first thing in the morning every day.
Though these juices are helpful in treating constipation, do take a look at the possible side effects.
Side Effects
There are no possible side effects of drinking fruit juices, but you should be aware of dosage.
Always use fresh homemade juice as canned or processed juice contains preservatives and added sugar (15). This is not recommended for people with diabetes.
The excess of fructose from fruit juices may lead to cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver, diabetes, and malabsorption syndrome (16).
If you experience constipation regularly, try to change your diet. Here is what you should eat (17).
What To Eat To Treat Constipation
- Fruits – Plum, pear, watermelon, orange, lime, lemon, and apple.
- Vegetables – Kale, spinach, broccoli, carrot, radish, beetroot, and celery.
- Proteins – Garbanzo beans and black beans.
- Seeds And Nuts – Cumin seeds, fennel seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and soaked almonds.
- Fats And Oils – Olive oil
- Beverages – Water, coconut water, buttermilk, fresh fruit juices, and detox water.
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