People with fewer than three bowel movements each week are considered constipated. Constipation, which affects between 2 percent and 30 percent of the general population, is often a result of poor diet, hormones, medication or heavy metal toxicity. Treatments for constipation include eating fibrous fruits and vegetables or their juices, which work as a natural laxative in the body. Consult with your medical advisor prior to constipation treatment.
Fruit Juice
Sorbital, otherwise known as glucitol, is a type of sugar alcohol that loosens the stool and promotes regular bowel movement. Sorbital is abundant in many fruit juices such as prune, peach, pear and apple juice. While adults may handle larger amounts of apple juice, babies diagnosed with constipation should be limited to just 2 oz. of apple juice twice each day. Prune juice and pear juice contain 6.1 g and 7 g of sorbitol, respectively, per 100 g serving. Prune juice is considered safe for constipated diabetics because, unlike other fruit juices, it does not cause blood-sugar fluctuations.
Additional Apple Sources
Fresh, unskinned apples are naturally low in calories and provide anywhere between 2.4 g of fiber to 5.4 g of fiber, depending on size. While some apple juice brands may have added natural or artificial sugar, which may be a source of constipation, raw apples contain only natural sugars. The apple's fiber acts similarly to sorbitol in that it clings to intestinal water, which then creates larger and softer stools. Apples may also be processed into applesauce, which has the reverse effect of apples in raw or liquid form. Pectin is a common ingredient in applesauce and rather than loosening up the stool, it further binds it together, which makes it an ideal treatment method for diarrhea.
Side Effects
Although apple juice is effective in treating constipation, in excessive amounts, it may lead to diarrhea. The sorbitol found in the certain fruit juices, while natural, is an undigestible sugar. Without the intestine's ability to absorb this compound, diarrhea may ensue. Sorbitol is the active ingredient for constipation relief in fruit juices, but artificial sugar, which is also found in many leading apple juice brands, may offset its benefit and trigger constipation. Kidney stones are another effect of excessive apple juice consumption due to its oxalate compound. According to a study in the "American Journal of Epidemiology," published in February 1996, participants who consumed 240 mL of apple juice each day increased their risk for kidney stone formation by 35 percent.
Key Points
As with any nutritional treatment plan, moderation is important in achieving results without aggravating additional symptoms. If you are constipated, have either apple juice or raw apples to alleviate constipation. However, if either are consumed in excess, the artificial sweeteners in apple juice may worsen symptoms while excess fiber, pectin found in applesauce or excess sorbitol may cause diarrhea. For optimum results, consult with your medical practitioner.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Constipation
- PubMed; "Chemical Composition and Potential Health Effects of Prunes"; Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M. et al.; May 2001
- Wholesome Baby Food: Baby Constipation
- Myelitis: Can Drinking Juice Help Ease Constipation
- American Journal of Epidemiology; "Prospective Study of Beverage Use and the Risk of Kidney Stones"; Gary C. Curhan, et al.; October 1994
- Cleveland Clinic; "Acute Diarrhea"; David S. Lever, et al.
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