Constipation is common, but that doesn’t make it any less strenuous for the person suffering from it. If you suffer from constipation, that means your stools are ejected less frequently, and there is almost no normalcy with your bowel movements. The frequency of bowel movements has a lot to do with a person’s comfort and wellness, and unfortunately, everyone experiences constipation at least once every year.
The regularity of bowel movements varies from person to person, and there is no single pattern that first everyone. The time between each toilet visit will also depend on the person’s age, sex, and comorbidities being examined.
Some individuals can easily have three bowel movements daily. Others might need a few days to move their stools. Both patterns are standard unless a physician diagnoses a condition like constipation.
There are several possible reasons:
- There are changes in how you eat (schedule of eating) and the food items you consume. If you left for another country and suddenly found yourself eating somewhat exotic or new food, you may be constipated for some time as your body adjusts to the fresh food.
- You forget to consume the correct quantity of water per day.
- You have a low-fiber diet, and as a result, your body struggles to move solid waste because the stool is drier and more complex. The drier the seat, the more difficult it would be to move it.
- There are also instances when a person suffers from constipation because he overeats dairy. The increase in dairy can result in other issues. If you have lactose sensitivity, it would be best to moderate or remove dairy from your diet to avoid the after-effects.
- Physical activity also has a bearing on the body’s ability to move stools efficiently. Generally speaking, a more active person will more likely move his stools regularly than a primarily sedentary person and has no physical activity or regular exercise. This is why physicians recommend that their patients exercise more frequently to avoid acute side effects of sedentary living, such as constipation. Constipation is one of the things that you can prevent with a more active and healthier lifestyle.
- And finally, there’s stress. Stress is the precursor of many medical conditions, including constipation. But that’s not all – stress can also trigger GERD or hyperacidity, which can lead to various issues in the body. Effective stress management can do your body so much good, so if you struggle with stress and feel constipated or experience hyperacidity because of it, it might be a good idea to sign up for therapy to address the stress.
Do Apples Make You Poop or Constipated?
We have to delve into the intricoes of the apple to answer this question. The general answer is that yes, eating apples can help relieve constipation. There are two main reasons why apples are beneficial to constipated colons.
Like other fruits, apples are mostly water, which already addresses any dehydration that may have gone under the radar. Second, apples are rich in plant fiber called pectin. Apple contains primarily insoluble fiber, but it also has a small quantity of soluble fiber. Both types of fiber are excellent for digestive health, and dietary fiber, in general, helps relieve both constipation and diarrhea and other digestive issues.
What is interesting about pectin is once it is consumed, the bacteria in the gut rapidly form fatty acids (the short-chain type) that help pull more water into the intestines. The more water there is in the colon, the easier it would be to complete the digestion process, and the shorter the transit time of the stool in the gut.
You’ve read the good part; now read the more complicated side of apples, watermelon, and blackberries. Some individuals are not responsive to apples and similar fruits that have high amounts of fermentable sugars. Apples belong to a group of fruits called FODMAPs. Essentially, people with IBS and similar conditions cannot benefit from these food items, and their needs can worsen. We are not saying that it will happen all the time, but it might happen. So if you have IBS and your physician has not recommended any dietary changes apart from the ones you are already employing, we do not suggest that you change anything.
Are Apples Good for Constipation?
Yes, apples are good for maintaining gut health and relieving constipation. Apples contain a total amount of nutrients that make them a superfood, on top of their dietary fiber content. There are several kinds of fiber in apple, from cellulose to pectin, too. Suppose you do not have IBS or any other similar digestive condition. In that case, you can eat more apples to relieve your constipation and get additional benefits, such as improving your cardiovascular health and improving your blood glucose levels.
What Foods Make You Constipated?
Some foods make digestive issues go away naturally, like yogurt and apples, and some foods are usually bad for digestion and cause more trouble than their worth. On top of the list is alcohol. We refer to different kinds of alcoholic drinks here, not just the common ones like wine, beer, or gin. The good news is that alcohol only triggers constipation if you end up drinking too much. So, word to the wise – always drink in moderation.
The second most common trigger for constipation is gluten-containing food items. This is tricky because gluten is a natural component of wheat, and wheat is used everywhere, from biscuits to pasta. If you have been diagnosed with any gluten sensitivity, it would be best to avoid any food with gluten. Changing your staple food would be the first step here.
