Health

Natural remedies for constipation

Dec 22, 2017

Going to the toilet doesn't have to be hard.

Constipation is one of those things everyone deals with at one point in time, leaving you feeling bloated, sluggish and unhealthy.

While laxatives can help you go to the toilet, they’re not something you want to get in the habit of taking all the time – particularly if your constipation is an ongoing problem.

Furthermore, there are studies that suggest failing to go to the toilet can lead to other health problems.

Just last year, a US study linked constipation with kidney disease.

It can be frustrating and difficult to sit on the toilet to no prevail, but thankfully there are some things you can do to unclog yourself and to make sure you’re pooping regularly.

Increase your fluid intake

It sounds too simple, but keeping yourself hydrated is a key factor when it comes to preventing constipation. That doesn’t mean sugary drinks, but ensuring your water intake remains high throughout the day.

Medical News Today suggests that carbonated water can be more effective than still or tap water. Being dehydrated can make it harder for you to go to the toilet.

Drink coffee

While it’s always important to maintain a balanced diet, drinking coffee can actually help your digestive system. Drinking too much can make you dehydrated, which can lead to constipation, but a cup here and there will do wonders for your constipation. Also feel free to drink tea – particularly mint or ginger.

Eat more fibre

If you find that you’re feeling particularly bloated all the time, it could be a sign that you need more fibre in your diet. RD explains that fibre is like pipe cleaner for your body in the sense that it scrubs away waste that gets trapped in your digestive tract.

To stay regular, you should aim to add around 35 grams of fibre to your diet each day. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to just be boring bran cereal, but can include fresh fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, almonds, lentils and beans.

Avoid dairy

Tucking into a delicious cheese platter or sitting in front of the TV with a delicious piece of cake with a huge serving of cream may seem like a good idea, but it could be causing problems for your gut.

A lot of people are intolerant to dairy without even knowing it, which can be quite confusing when they have a diet with plenty of fibre and drink lots of water. If in doubt, talk to your GP, or try cutting back on dairy products if things are moving slower than you’d like.

Lead an active lifestyle

If you’ve been sitting around doing nothing and find that you’re feeling a bit more constipated than usual, there could be a reason for that.

Global Health Center suggests that keeping an active lifestyle stimulates the muscles in your gut to encourage digestion. While you don’t need to run a marathon or do anything too extreme, some exercises like walking, swimming, bike riding or even yoga can help. The best part is you’ll likely be assisting with other health issues as well.

Add honey to your diet

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but honey will ensure your digestive system works as its meant to.

Honey is natural but it also has mild laxative effects, making it the perfect treat for if you’re feeling constipated. Simply consume around tablespoon of the sticky substance up to three times a day. The best part is you can get creative with how you consume your honey.

Either eat it off a spoon, or add it to some tea. You can also add it to hot water to drink as a sweet treat!