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Editorial

Best foods to relieve constipation naturally

  • PublishedNovember 28, 2019

If you have constipation that just won’t go away, it is time to ditch those over-the-counter laxatives and incorporate foods that relieve constipation naturally in your diet. They are as follows:

Papaya

Papaya contains papain which aids is digesting proteins. It has a high water content which makes stool softer and easier to pass

Watermelon

Just like papaya, it is made up largely of water that helps keep things moving in the gut.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are high in fibre, which adds bulk to stool and makes it easy to pass. For the results, cook them with the skins because that is where most of the fibre lies.

Apples

Not only are apples high in fibre, but they are also have soluble fibre that has been found to hasten digestion in the large intestine.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds contains 11 grams of fibre per 28 grams. They do not not get digested, but they bind with water in the gut to form a gel-like substance that makes the  movement of the stool much smoother.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as tangerine, oranges and lemon contain roughage and fibre that helps in the binding of stool.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a strong natural laxative, all thanks to a compound it contains known as sennoside A. While the plant cannot be eaten, the stalks can be boiled and added to different dishes.

Dark leafy veggies

Vegetables such as kales and spinach are not just rich in vitamins. They have fibre and roughage which add bulk to school. They are also rich in magnesium that helps soften the stool.

Water

Water is the ultimate laxative. Dehydration often results to constipation, because there isn’t enough water to add to the stool, thus it forms a hard mass that is hard to pass. Make drinking plenty of water a habit if you have recurring constipation.

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