Are you tired of constipation? Are you searching for remedies to treat constipation? It is not easy to eat and stay healthy while being constipated. Health specialists suggest to eat a lot of fruits to prevent and treat constipation. Now the question is do apples cause constipation or do they prevent constipation?
Constipation is a chronic health problem. Constipation is a condition in which bowel movements are painful or infrequent. According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:
“Constipation is defined as the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool less than three times per week during bowel movements.”
What are the Causes of Constipation?
Here are the common causes of constipation;
- Being dehydrated
- Consuming a low-fiber diet
- Getting little or no physical activity
- Taking certain medications, such as sedatives, opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, or blood pressure medications
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ignoring the need for a bowel movement.
- Travel, pregnancy, and old age are all examples of changes in habits or lifestyle.
- Problems with bowel function
Read Also; How to get rid of Constipation Instantly?
Do Apples Cause Constipation?
While laxatives, stool softeners, and fiber supplements are common constipation treatments, incorporating a few regularity-boosting foods into your diet can be a safe and effective alternative.
Apple is one of those fruits that are used to prevent constipation. Apples are good for constipation as their peel has a lot of fiber. According to Food Data Central, apples are high in fiber, with one small apple (149 grams) providing 3.6 grams. Fiber passes through your intestines undigested, promoting stool formation and regular bowel movements.
Apples are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber accounts for 64% of the fruit, while soluble fiber accounts for 36%.
Apples also contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber known for its laxative properties. In one study, 80 people with constipation were given pectin supplements. Pectin sped up colon transit time, reduced constipation symptoms, and even improved digestive health by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut after 4 weeks.
Did you know that apples can aid in the treatment of diarrhea? Apples can help with constipation as well as diarrhea. Soluble fiber is the type that forms a gel-like consistency in the stools and slows digestion. If you have diarrhea, you should consume the fruit’s pulp without the skin. That doesn’t mean apples cause constipation, rather it can keep your digestive system healthy.
The insoluble fiber in apples, on the other hand, is found in the apple skin. It is the one that aids in the formation of stools, eases bowel movements, and relieves constipation. It means that it is a single fruit with two benefits.
Apples can be used as a healthy topping for foods such as yoghurt, salads, and oatmeal, or they can be eaten on their own as a portable and nutritious snack.
Other Health Benefits of Apples:
- Apples’ high fiber content may also help with weight loss. It is high in fiber and water, both of which make the fruit filling in nature. Eating one whole fruit in between meals (rather than before or after) can help you feel fuller for longer and reduce your overall calorie intake, assisting with weight loss.
- Pectin is another type of fiber found in apples that acts as a prebiotic. It feeds beneficial bacteria to the gut and can help improve gut health.
- Apples may be beneficial to heart health. Apples’ soluble fiber can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Apples also contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and may help lower blood pressure.
Which Fruits are Good for Constipation?
Constipation is a common problem that affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. Though medications and supplements can help, most people can achieve regularity with a high fiber, healthy diet and a few regularity-boosting foods. Here are some other fruits that are good for managing constipation;
- Prunes
- Banana
- Avocado
- Peach
- Figs
- Pear
- Kiwi
Conclusion:
It’s a common saying, apple a day, keeps the doctor away. And we know that, constipation is the mother of all diseases. So, if you eat apple, it will keep you healthy by preventing and treating constipation.
It contains soluble and insoluble fiber. That makes this miraculous fruit beneficial for both constipation and diarrhea.
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FAQs
Is apple good for constipation?
Yes, apple has high fiber content that is helpful in treating constipation. The pectin present in apples acts as laxative. Pectin speed up colon transit time, reduce constipation symptoms, and even improve digestive health by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Is it OK to eat an apple every day?
It is good to have apple every day. It is unlikely that eating an apple every day will harm your health. However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and eating multiple apples per day may result in bloating and stomachache.