Individuals who have hard, dry, painful or difficult-to-pass stools or who have fewer than three bowel movements in a week are suffering from constipation, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Juices, especially those high in sorbitol, can help relieve constipation. Sorbitol is a natural fruit sugar that is poorly absorbed by the intestines, so it stays in the intestinal tract and makes the stools more liquid.
Prune Juice
The National Institutes of Health point out that prune juice contains 6.1 g of sorbitol per 100-g serving. Prune juice and other prune products have long been used to relieve constipation due to their laxative effect. An added benefit of prune juice over many other fruit juices is that it does not cause a spike in blood sugar, which can be dangerous for diabetics.
Pear Juice
Myelitis.org explains that one 8-oz glass of pear juice can contain as much as 7 g of sorbitol. As few as 10 g of sorbitol can cause diarrhea in children. With such a strong impact on the bowels, it is best to offer a child only a small amount of pear juice to assist in chronic constipation relief. Adults may be able to tolerate a larger serving but should start small and work up to larger doses if needed.
Apple Juice
Apple juice is naturally high in sorbitol. It is a mild juice that can cause gas in some individuals, but it is often one of the first juices given to babies who have constipation. WholesomeBabyFood.com suggests giving babies 2 oz of apple juice twice per day for constipation. Adults and children can tolerate a larger serving of apple juice.
Other Juices
Several other juices contain a significantly smaller amount of sorbitol but can be effective in several small doses per day, according to Baylor College of Medicine. Examples of those containing fewer than 1.4 g per 100-g serving include sweet cherry, peach and grape juices.
Those with constipation can manage it with lemon juice. One method is to mix the juice with water and warm it for added effectiveness.
References
- Myelitis.org: Can Drinking Juice Help Ease Constipation
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Constipation
- National Institutes of Health: CHemical Composition and Potential Health Effects
- Baylor College of Medicine: Too Much Juice Can Cause Intestinal Discomfort Usually Blamed On Milk
- WholeSomeBabyFood.com: Constipation in Baby
