Neither corn syrup nor peanut butter cures chronic constipation, but if you eat small amounts of these two foods regularly, you could see an overall improvement. Both foods contain ingredients helpful in loosening stools and stimulating bowel movements. You'll see the best results if you add corn syrup and peanut butter to a well-balanced diet that includes many good sources of dietary fiber. Other healthful changes in lifestyle also improve bowel health.
Constipation
Not having daily bowel movements does not always mean constipation. Normal bowel function could be as infrequent as three times weekly or as common as three times daily, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center. Constipation results when waste products move through your colon more slowly than normal. Dense waste resulting from food with low fiber content compacts as your large intestine draws away moisture. Hard, dry feces cause abdominal and rectal pain, a bloated sluggish feeling, and fewer successful bowel movements. Certain diseases also can cause similar symptoms. Ask your doctor for advice if you suffer from constipation frequently.
Home Remedies
Both peanut butter and corn syrup provide simple home remedies for constipation. Oil and fiber in peanut butter soften and lubricate stools, and the moisturizing effect of corn syrup adds liquid to hardened fecal matter. A spoonful of peanut butter contains 1.3 g of dietary fiber. Adults need from 20 g to 35 g of fiber daily, and children 5 and under need 1 g per year of age. Peanut butter adds significant fiber to a child's diet, but could choke a small child if taken plain. Blending peanut butter with mashed bananas or applesauce makes the peanut butter easier to swallow, according to the University of Georgia Extension Service.
Corn Syrup
Some of the same qualities that make corn syrup an important ingredient in baked goods and candies also treat constipation. Corn syrup sugar molecules bind to water and remain liquid even after baking. Corn sugar in cakes and pastries keeps these products moist. Undigested corn syrup that reaches your colon provides liquid that remains in feces, preventing hard dry stools. Corn syrup manufacturers and some health professionals warn against using corn syrup as a constipation remedy. Corn syrup could contain botulism spores, says KaroSyrup.com. Consuming corn syrup in its raw unsterilized form could cause food poisoning.
Lifestyle
If your lifestyle causes constipation, adding peanut butter and corn syrup to your diet might not solve your problem. Adding a broader range of high fiber foods to your diet provides a better nutritional balance than extra peanut butter. Whole grain products, fruits and vegetables, beans and nuts all add fiber and variety to your meals. Adding unprocessed wheat bran to your food increases fiber without adding calories. To prevent your stools from drying, drink the recommended minimum of eight to 10 glasses of water or fruit juice daily, suggests Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
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