Foods That Relieve Constipation - Dietary Treatment

On this page, you will learn about some foods that relieve constipation.

Although there are many possible causes of constipation, often, it occurs due to dietary choices that are not conducive to intestinal motility. There are many foods that are broken down in such a way that they can cause constipation.

Conversely, some foods can not only decrease one's likelihood of developing constipation, but also can provide relief to those who suffer from it. An added benefit of an intestinally-optimized diet is that it tends to be a diet rich in vitamins, "good" fats, and other disease-preventing nutrients; this type of diet also tends to limit meats, processed foods, and fats - foods that promote constipation and have often been linked to disease.

When it comes to issues with constipation, and when looking for foods that relieve constipation, it is crucial that one look first toward fiber, one of the most vital components of digestive health. Fiber lends bulk and malleability to bowel movements, and thus, without fiber, bowel movements become hardened and difficult to pass.

Not surprisingly, fiber tends to be found in many founds that we intuitively think of as "healthy" - fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The fact that most modern diets are higher in meats, dairy products, and fats (and lower in the aforementioned fiber-heavy foods) may be a major reason for the prevalence of constipation issues.

Fortunately for individuals suffering from constipation, it is one of the most treatable conditions that one may encounter, and treatment has the additional quality of being quite simple and easy. Generally, dietary changes are adequate in relieving constipation, and for most people, this is the only treatment necessary. In some cases, constipation occurs due to underlying conditions or disease, and thus, making changes to one's diet may not relieve the digestive issues.

There are a number of specific recommendations and foods that relieve constipation indicated for individuals dealing with the ailment. Constipation commonly develops due to insufficient water content in the bolus, and later, the bowel movement. Accordingly, it is of vital importance to maintain proper hydration, which generally means consuming more water for people who suffer from constipation.

A diet to cure constipation tends to be one that is rich in fiber, and lower in foods that can potentially disrupt the digestive system, such as meats, fats, processed, refined foods, dairy products, and possibly very sugary foods.

Some foods that relieve constipation are:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Cranberries
• Figs
• Kiwi
• Prunes
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Almonds
• Asparagus
• Beans
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Oats
• Onions
• Radishes
• Rye
• Spinach
• Tomato

Although these foods are particularly helpful in reducing incidence of constipation, there are many, many potential choices when choosing foods to create a diet that alleviates constipation. Choices of foods that relieve constipation should be centered upon the three main food groups (fruits, vegetables, and grains) and should maximize dietary fiber. Of course, potentially triggering foods should also be avoided.

Options for individuals dealing with constipation are quite plentiful. Often, the most natural remedy - in this case dietary modification - is the most effective option. Dietary treatment not only provides constipation relief, but is also less likely to produce side effects than more invasive methods of producing relief.

Essentially, if you want to relieve constipation through food, you should seek out foods that are high in fiber, which are generally whole grains, fruits and vegetables; dietary fiber is also listed on nutrition labels.

Having learnt about some foods that relieve constipation, you may want to find out more about how to treat and cure constipation by reading the other related articles and pages.

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