Food/Wellness/Health
Natural Ways To Relieve Constipation & Promote Gut Health
Constipation is either infrequent or hard to open bowel movement
If we eat every day, which I suppose we all do, save the time of total fasting, then we are supposed to open our bowels every day. This is simply because we do not digest all that we eat, and the body is designed to expel the waste of the leftovers.
What Causes Constipation?
The first thing to look out for is which food gives us constipation. The body is unique and there are different food intolerance. What is it that when we eat it, we feel bloated and uneasy and we are unable to easily open our bowel? We should desist from eating such food.
For example, some people overproduce intestinal mucus which slows down bowel movements when they take milk or other dairy products.
Dehydration is not drinking enough water can definitely slow down our bowel movement. Apart from not drinking enough water, stay away from coffee or caffeine-rich foods and drinks, as these can also dehydrate us.
Stagnation, lack of exercise, or movement can result in a low level of bowel movement too. Talk about the coach potatoes.
Stress can release some hormones in the gut, that slow down or paralyze the bowel movement.
If the bad gut bacteria is more than the good ones, you have a condition, termed SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth), that can slow down bowel movement.
Hard-to-digest foods like red meat, fried meat, gluten-containing foods, high refined carbohydrates foods, and some legumes do slow down bowel movement.
Foods That Can Easily Relieve Constipation
Most fruits and vegetables, (including the leafy ones), especially when eaten with the skin on will relieve constipation.
Fermented foods, because of their high gut-friendly bacteria content, help stimulate bowel movement. Yogurt, kimchi, and tofu are in this category.
High fiber seeds, like flaxseeds, chia seeds, nuts, prunes, and dates help relieve constipation.
Natural Constipation Relieving Herbs
Green tea, ginger, and lemon are natural constipation-relieving herbs.
Peppermint tea after meals will soothe the tummy and relax the stomach walls.
Dandelion leaves can be eaten, drink as tea, or make into a tincture to help relieve constipation.
Aloe vera is a soothing drink for the gut and has been known for ages as both anti-inflammation and improving digestion.
The Takeaways
- Toxins, hormones, and chemicals are also excreted during bowel movement, if we do not open our bowels, as frequently as we should, these are left circulating in the bloodstream, and can lead to blood poisoning.
- Long-term constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, colorectal cancer, and anal fissures.
- You can help your brain to create a toilet routine. Upon arising, take a glass of hot water, (with or without fresh lemon), and then sit on the toilet until you have a bowel movement. This needs some adjusting though.
