Everyone needs to have a bowel movement! But if your regular routine involves fewer than three bowel movements a week, chances are you’re not feeling well. The discomfort caused by constipation can leave you feeling depressed, bloated, and gassy, which can impact your entire day. Luckily, there are some simple dietary remedies that can help your colon function more efficiently, including some instant poop-inducing drinks .
8 drinks that help with bowel movements
1. Water: The first line of defense against both acute and chronic constipation is to drink enough water. Constipation is caused by digested food getting stuck in the intestines. Sometimes, just drinking enough water to move everything through the intestines is enough. Adults should drink about half their weight in water (in ounces), or about 1.5 to 2 liters, per day. Mineral water may also provide magnesium and sulfate, which are well-known for their laxative effects.
2. Water with lemon squeezed in it. Lemon juice contains a ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app type of vitamin C called citric acid, which research has shown can help some people have smooth bowel movements without causing diarrhea. When consumed, lemon juice draws water into the digestive system, which stimulates the intestines to contract and expel waste.
3. Chia fresca Another drink that can help promote smooth bowel movements is Chia fresca , which is a combination of chia seeds, water, and a small slice of lemon or lime. The insoluble fiber in chia seeds helps soften the stool, which the Cleveland Clinic theorizes has a laxative effect.
4. Coffee: “Coffee may be best known for its caffeine, but drinking coffee can also stimulate your digestive system, getting things moving naturally,” says Mannaker. While many people may think that coffee’s only trigger is the caffeine, “even decaffeinated coffee can help you poop,” says Kim Culp, a registered dietitian and owner of The Gut Health Connection.
“Even without caffeine, coffee stimulates the colon’s fecal response,” Culp explains. “That means when your stomach receives food, it signals your colon to get ready for the incoming food by contracting, prompting you to have a bowel movement.
5. Fresh Fruit Juices Fruit juices such as pear, apple, and apricot can help relieve constipation, says Ashley Kitchens, a registered dietitian, plant-based expert, and owner of Plant Centered Nutrition. “Apple juice is relatively high in fructose to glucose and sorbitol, which may help to gently relieve constipation.
6. Prune juice: Prune juice already contains sorbitol, a natural laxative, which can also cause bloating, says Mannaker. “Drinking prune juice has been associated with improved digestive outcomes.”
One study that evaluated the effects of prune juice concluded that the drink is a safe and natural alternative to consume, especially in cases of chronic constipation. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, these researchers found that “consuming prunes significantly reduced the amount of hard and lumpy stools, while increasing regular stools and not increasing loose stools.” Consuming prunes also provided relief from constipation and hard stools, without causing bloating, diarrhea, loose stools, or the urge to have a bowel movement.
7. Aloe vera juice: “Aloe vera contains a lot of antioxidants and can help speed up bowel movements, which may help you have a bowel movement more easily,” says Thomason. “Although some research suggests that aloe vera has laxative properties, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it as a safe or effective way to stimulate bowel movements.
8. True tea , including green and black teas, contains thousands of bioactive compounds, such as amino acids, caffeine, lignin, proteins, xanthines, and flavonoids, making tea a health beverage that can provide a variety of benefits to the body. Green and black teas, in particular, tend to have higher caffeine content than other teas, which gives them a mild laxative effect that can stimulate the digestive system. Adding ginger to your tea can enhance these effects, as ginger is well-known for its ability to aid digestion and stimulate bowel movements, helping you to poop right away.