10 Foods to Help Relieve Constipation

Constipation is defined as having hard, dry bowel movements or passing stool fewer than three times a week, says Healthline¹. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases², about 30 percent of adults older than 60 have constipation.

To find out what causes constipation, let’s look at the colon. Your colon is responsible for absorbing water from the food you’ve eaten. Then, it creates a stool. Your colon’s muscles push out the stool through the rectum. However, if the stool sits in the colon for too long — it becomes harder and difficult to pass, says Healthline³.

The main culprit of constipation? Poor diet. Healthline⁴ suggests adding more dietary fiber and water intake to help move things along. A few other common causes, include⁵:

• Low exercise levels
• Delaying the impulse to have a bowel movement
• Travel or other changes in routine
• Medications, including certain antacids, pain medications, diuretics, and some treatments for Parkinson’s disease

If adding more water and fiber-rich food didn’t do the trick, you still have other treatment options, says Healthline⁶. Let’s take a look:

• Alcohol and caffeinated drinks cause dehydration, so see if you can cut back.
• If you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, don’t wait. The longer you delay, the harder your stool can become.
• Ask your doctor about bowel training to get your body used to passing stool 15 to 45 minutes after breakfast each day. Also, see if any of the medications you’re currently using could cause constipation.
• Put your feet on a footstool when having a bowel movement.
• Don’t rush. Relax your muscles. Give yourself plenty of time.
• Use laxatives sparingly.

Add these foods to your diet

According to Healthline⁷, eating fiber-rich foods is key to keeping you regular. Why? Fiber increases the bulk of the stool, making it easier to pass. Here are a few to try:

1. Apples
2. Kiwis
3. Beans, peas and lentils
4. Prunes
5. Spinach and other greens
6. Pears
7. Citrus fruits
8. Artichoke
9. Sweet potato
10. Whole grain rye bread

As you can see, there’s a variety of foods — from fruits to vegetables to bread — that can give you some relief. Remember to drink plenty of water and see if that helps get things going!