Every year there are millions of people who wake up and find they cannot move their bowels. It is embarrassing, uncomfortable and worse, a sign that something might be wrong. But, instead of running to the drug store and buying the most powerful laxative on the shelf, consider these natural remedies for constipation and how they will impact your overall health.
Natural Remedies for Constipation that Work
Laxatives work by stimulating the muscles in your bowels, releasing moisture and pushing through the dried stool. This is bad for a number of reasons. First, it fights your body’s natural inclinations, which can result in inflammation. Second, your body can quickly become used to having a chemical aid each day and become dependent on the laxative. Finally, it pushes food through your digestive track much quicker than is normal and can result in malnutrition or your medications not working properly.
For all these reasons, you need a natural cure that works well without these negative side effects. One of the most common (and effective) is coffee. The chemical in coffee responsible for its bitter taste also provides a bit of a jolt to your digestive tract when it enters, resulting in regular bowel movements.
Coffee can be just as habit forming as a laxative however, so you might consider honey or molasses instead. These are non-habit forming and have a mild stimulating effect on your bowels. Their one drawback is that they are also very loaded with calories and sugar. If you have blood sugar issues or are watching your weight, this method won’t work.
Natural Remedies for Constipation Based on Prevention
That leaves us with one last set of options for how to naturally treat constipation – prevention. Instead of trying to find a magic pill or food that will release your bowels, why not develop healthy habits that stop constipation from ever happening in the first place?
Specifically, you need a lot more fiber and water in your diet. High fiber and high water diets create bulkier stools that don’t dry out, ensuring they don’t cause constipation. By eating non-processed foods that have whole nutrients and all their natural fiber intact makes this even more effective.
Key foods like beans, whole grains, whole vegetables and fruits are all very good to maintain this balance in your intestines and avoid the negative impact of constipation on your health.
Finding the Right Natural Remedies for Constipation
People turn to laxatives because they want an immediate solution to their problem, but in doing so they only ensure that the problem will come back. Instead of creating a chronic issue that requires you to take damaging medication on a regular basis, consider taking a natural approach.
Use diet and exercise to supplement your body’s natural needs and keep yourself from developing constipation. By doing this properly you create an environment in your body that is capable of dealing with anything that happens, from an errant meal filled with cheese to a medication known to cause constipation. Natural remedies for constipation is the only way to go, I believe.