Most of us at one time or another have suffered from constipation. It’s not very comfortable and in some cases it can be long-lasting. What we eat and drink is often the main reason for the problem, which means addressing your diet is usually the best way forward.
Constipation can also occur if we don’t exercise regularly – that’s not to say we have to be pushing weights every day of the week, but we should perform some sort of exercise, like walking or jogging, once or twice a week.
The good news is that with a few simple changes to our daily eating and drinking routine, constipation can be cured naturally.
Here are 7 top tips to help relieve your constipation symptoms:
#1. Dried Fruit – Raisins, Prunes, Figs
Raisins are dried grapes; they are full of fibre and are a very good natural laxative. Just soak a handful in a bowl of water overnight, then eat them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Prunes are packed with soluble and insoluble fibres and are another great natural laxative. They contain sorbitol, which draws water into the colon, softening the stool and making it easier to pass. Eat a few every morning and every evening.
Dried figs are also packed with fibre. You can eat them as they are (delicious!) or boil a few figs in a glass of milk and drink the warm mixture just before going to bed.
#2. Guava
Guavas are incredible. The health benefits of this tropical fruit are said to include the treatment of diarrhoea and constipation, coughs and colds, skin complaints, high blood pressure, weight loss and scurvy!
Guava pulp contains soluble fibre, while the seeds contain insoluble fibre. They also help with mucus production in the anal region and with peristalsis, the muscle movement that helps the passage of food through the intestines and all the way out.
#3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a wonderful natural cleansing agent for the intestines, and the citric acid acts as a stimulant for your digestive system. Lemon juice can also help you flush out toxins and undigested material that may have accumulated along the walls of the colon.
First thing each morning, mix one or two teaspoons of lemon juice in half a glass of warm water, add a pinch of salt and drink on an empty stomach.
#4. Oils – Olive, Coconut, Castor
Olive oil is a gentle and nutritious constipation reliever; it protects the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates bile production. You could mix a tablespoon of raw, extra virgin olive oil into your morning drink or take it on its own on an empty stomach.
Coconut oil is a popular and more pleasant tasting choice that you can stir into your morning coffee or eat straight from the jar. Any blockage will be slip sliding happily downwards.
Castor oil has been used for centuries as a great remedy to lubricate the digestive system. If swallowing a spoon of castor oil on its own puts you off, you can always add a tablespoon to a warm glass of milk. It’s best to drink this before going to bed.
#5. Seeds and Nuts
Eating mixed seeds and nuts together provides the body with a wonderful source of fibre and helps to rejuvenate the walls of the intestines.
Mix a few sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds etc and sprinkle over your morning cereal or into your lunchtime salad.
Ground flaxseed (or linseed) is another age old remedy to relieve constipation. With a high fibre content, flaxseeds contain mucilage, a compound that gives a protective coating to the digestive tract, helping the passage of food.
#6. Oranges
Not only are oranges a fantastic source of vitamin C, but they also contain large amounts of fibre. Eat two oranges every day, one in the morning and one in the evening, but don’t peel off the white threads of the flesh of the orange, as these play a major part in relieving constipation symptoms.
#7. Spinach Juice
Spinach has a remarkable effect on the body. It is nature’s powerhouse of beneficial minerals and vitamins.
Mix around 100 ml of spinach juice with the same amount of water and drink this twice a day.
This remedy is known to be one of the most effective methods and will cure even the most stubborn cases of constipation.
For long-term constipation relief, you should really be addressing your general diet and eating habits to make sure the problem is kept at bay:
- Cut down on processed foods like microwave or ready meals, bacon, savoury snacks like crisps, bread and tinned vegetables and foods that contain white flour, or refined white sugar
- Keep your meals light and regular and make sure you eat at least 3 to 4 hours before going to bed
- Make sure you eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables every day, and do include raw vegetables in your diet to get the maximum nutrition
- Eat a mix of raw nuts and seeds every day as these are highly beneficial
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day
Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with Serviced Events; the UK’s largest reseller of GigLoo toilets, the hygienic solution to events and party sanitation.
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