If you are not able to pass a stool more than three times per week, you may be constipated. Constipation is uncomfortable and can be downright painful. There are many natural remedies you can try, including drinking prune juice. The fiber, sorbitol and water content in prune juice with pulp can help relieve constipation and take your pain away.
Symptoms
The inability to pass a stool is the main symptom of constipation. Other symptoms accompany this and can indicate constipation as well. Constipation can cause a hard and dry stool because it is inside of your large intestine for a long period, which means most of the water is absorbed out of the stool. Passing a hard and dry stool can be very painful. Stomach pain can also occur and is mainly due to the blockage or buildup of stool inside your abdomen.
Prune Juice
Prune juice has long been known for its digestion benefits. Prune juice is a mild and natural laxative. This means it can help keep you regular and may even relieve your constipation. When your constipation is relieved, so is your pain. Therefore, prune juice can help with constipation pain. For adults, a dosage of about 4 oz. of prune juice is enough to keep you regular. It is okay to increase or decrease the amount of prune juice you take in based upon the feedback from your body.
Fiber and Sorbitol
According to Dr. Purushothaman Premchand of the website Total Health, the fiber and sugar alcohols inside of prune juice help with digestion health. Prune juice contains sorbitol, a sugar alcohol. Though most of the insoluble fiber is removed during processing, prune juice still contains soluble fiber. In fact, one cup contains nearly 3g of fiber. Both sorbitol and fiber produce a bulkier stool, which is easier for your digestive muscles to move. Fiber also binds to water, making your stool softer and easier to excrete.
Hydration
One cause of constipation is dehydration. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, some find that increasing fluid intake can relieve constipation. One cup of prune juice contains 207g of water. Drinking prune juice may also help relieve the pain of constipation by reducing dehydration.
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