Eating prunes or drinking prune juice can alleviate constipation, and it can be more effective than laxative medications in some cases. Start by drinking 4–8 ounces of prune juice in the morning as a first-line therapy for constipation, while ensuring that you also stay hydrated.
Some fruity foods that are higher in the sugar sorbitol, such as prunes, dried plums (another name for prunes), and prune juice, can loosen bowels. But again, too much can cause gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. Some people find ground flaxseed helps ease their IBS-C symptoms.
Here are 11 top health benefits of prunes and prune juice.
- Helps digestion. Prunes are high in fiber, which helps prevent hemorrhoids brought on by constipation.
- Controls the urge.
- High in potassium.
- High in vitamins.
- Provides a good source of iron.
- Builds bones and muscles.
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Lowers blood pressure.
Here are 20 natural laxatives you may want to try.
- Oat Bran.
- Prunes.
- Kiwifruit.
- Magnesium Citrate.
- Coffee.
- Psyllium.
- Water. Water is essential for staying hydrated as well as maintaining regularity and preventing constipation.
- Sugar Substitutes. Excess consumption of some types of sugar substitutes may have a laxative effect.
The following quick treatments can help induce a bowel movement in a few hours.
- Take a fiber supplement.
- Eat a serving of high-fiber food.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Take a laxative stimulant.
- Take an osmotic.
- Try a lubricant laxative.
- Use a stool softener.
- Try an enema.
Summary: Eating prunes as part of a weight control diet can improve weight loss, research shows. Consumption of dried fruit is not readily recommended during weight loss despite evidence it enhances feelings of fullness.
Prunes are fat-free and, as they are a fruit, they are mainly a carbohydrate containing 12g per 30g portion (of which 10g is sugar). They contain almost 1g of protein per serving, but they are high in fibre with 1.7g per 30g serving.
Some people have reported having diarrhea after consuming even prune juice. Prunes contain sorbitol, which acts as a natural laxative and an unregulated dose or consuming too much of prunes can easily result in diarrhea.
The high-fiber, low-water content of dried fruit can cause digestive issues, including gas and cramping during the night. The culprit is sorbitol, a sweetener found in dried fruits, including raisins and prunes, which can cause stomach bloating and flatulence, especially when eaten in larger quantities. Steer clear!
The results of the study suggested that drinking 125 milliliters, or about half a cup, twice a day works as an effective laxative, at least in cases of mild constipation. When it comes to eating prunes for digestive issues, many studies base their findings on eating 100 g, or approximately 10 whole prunes, each day.
Prunes also contain sorbitol, a type of sugar alcohol that your body poorly digests. It helps alleviate constipation by drawing water into the intestines, spurring a bowel movement ( 6 ). One review looked at four studies measuring the effectiveness of prunes on constipation.
Fibre helps block some cholesterol from being absorbed from the intestines into the blood stream. Pulses such as beans, peas and lentils are particularly high in this kind of fibre. Sweet potato, aubergine, okra (ladies' fingers), broccoli, apples, strawberries and prunes are also good options.
Often called "Nature's Remedy," prunes contain sorbitol, which has a natural, laxative effect in the body. Dried plums are also high in disease-fighting antioxidants and have both insoluble and soluble fiber. One cup of pitted, uncooked prunes contains 12 grams of fiber.
This fruit can reduce inflammatory activities in the digestive tract and can help combat breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. Plums: Consume eight to 10 plums as the first thing in the morning to cleanse your body.
Information. Fruits such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins will keep at top quality in the pantry for six months. After opening, you may wish to store them tightly sealed in the refrigerator to preserve the quality for up to six additional months or freeze them for one month.
Feren says prune lovers are advised to eat around 30 grams, or three to four prunes, a day. That is equal to one serve of fruit – adults are encouraged to have two daily serves of fruit.
A growing body of research suggests that eating prunes could improve bone health in postmenopausal women who have low bone mass. In some cases, it might even reverse bone loss caused by osteoporosis.
The most popular juice to relieve constipation is prune juice. Each 8-ounce glass contains about 2.6 grams of fiber. That's about 10 percent of your daily requirement. While the fiber may bulk up your stools, the sorbitol in the prune juice helps soften them, making them easier to pass.
How long will Sunsweet prune juice last once it is opened and kept in the refrigerator? Sunsweet prune juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
Also, you should never eat citrus fruits or foods that are acidic on an empty stomach and this can trigger acidity and heartburn. If your body is prone to acidity, fruits such as prunes and plums should be avoided as they are high in natural sugars.
Drinking Fruit JuicesSome fruit juices, such as apple juice, prune juice, or cider, produce these carbohydrates and sugars, which can give you a stomachache and gas, Malkin said.
Alternatives to trigger foodsWhile eliminating foods that cause or worsen IBS symptoms, a person may benefit from adding the following to their diet: Low-FODMAP fruits: These include blueberries, cantaloupe, grapes, oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and ripe bananas.
Eating yogurt can help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms since yogurt has probiotics, or “good bacteria,” which helps put healthy bacteria back in your gut. But yogurt is also on some lists of foods to avoid if you have IBS.
What should I eat and drink if I'm constipated?
- whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals.
- legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas.
- fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears.
Bloating can also be caused by constipation. If you're not able to eliminate waste in the intestinal tract this can lead to a bloated look. Prunes are an effective constipation reliever because they have high amounts of fiber and work as natural laxatives.
Don't let constipation go unchecked for too long. When untreated, constipation can lead to unpleasant complications such as hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse, a condition in which part of the intestine pushes out through the anus from too much straining.
Physical Symptoms that Could Indicate Laxative Abuse
- Abdominal cramping, potentially severe.
- Shivering or shaking.
- Sweating.
- Chronic stomach pain.
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
