Regular bowel movements are essential for physical and mental well-being, but unfortunately, irregular or infrequent bowel movements affect many people worldwide. Prune juice for constipation is a common and excellent alternative remedy to make your bowel movements regular again.
Various factors like diet and lifestyle may be responsible for constipation. While it may be embarrassing to discuss this issue with a healthcare professional or your loved ones, it is crucial to treat it early. That’s because, if left untreated, constipation can cause unwanted health complications and the more constipated you get, the harder it becomes to relieve yourself without medical intervention.
A popular remedy is to drink prune juice. It has been studied quite intensively and shown to be effective against constipation. In this article, we talk about the ingredients you need to prepare and how to use them to relieve yourself and get your bowels moving smoothly again.
In This Article
Does Prune Juice Help With Constipation?
Hannah Whittaker, Registered Dietitian, says, “Prune juice can be amazing to help with constipation.” It contains certain nutrients and compounds that make it an effective laxative aid. Here’s an insight into what prune juice contains that makes it so effective in treating constipation.
- Prune juice has a high sorbitol content, which makes it an effective laxative (1). Other sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose are quickly absorbed in the gut, but sorbitol isn’t. By staying in the gut, it opposes the absorption of water from the colon. Therefore, it decreases dehydration of stools and fights constipation.
- Prunes are also known for their high fiber content (2). Opt for prune juice that includes its pulp to provide the much-needed extra fiber required to cure constipation. This nutrient passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed in the intestines and without breaking down. It helps in drawing water to the stools, making them softer and bulkier.
Did You Know? Cocktails with prune juice such as Constipolitan, Pile Driver, Smooth Move, and Go with the Flow help alleviate constipation.
- The phenolic compounds present in prune juice act as antioxidants that protect your body against cell aging and oxidative stress. A benefit of using phenolic compounds to treat constipation is that they function as stimulating laxatives (2). This results in the stools moving faster in the colon, thus causing them to be less dehydrated.
Quite obviously, there is a lot of actual scientific evidence that shows the efficacy of prune juice as a natural treatment for constipation (3). Research has shown that prune juice helps in increasing the fluid volume that remains in stools and, at the same time, causes contractions that stimulate bowel movement. To eliminate constipation, you can use these effective prune juice remedies.
How To Use Prune Juice For Constipation
- Prune Juice For Constipation
- Milk Of Magnesia And Prune Juice For Constipation
- Butter And Prune Juice To Get Rid Of Constipation
- Apple Juice And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
- Olive Oil And Prune Juice For Constipation
- Coffee And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
- Prune Juice And Oat Milk For Constipation
Prune Juice As A Remedy For Constipation
1. Prune Juice For Constipation
Image: IStock
You Will Need
A cup of prune juice
What You Have To Do
Drink this as and when it is convenient for you.
How Often You Should Do This
Have 3-4 cups of prune juice in a day.
Why This Works
The laxative effects of the components of prune juice will start showing results in a day or two.
2. Milk Of Magnesia And Prune Juice For Constipation
You Will Need
- 1 cup prune juice
- 2 tablespoons milk of magnesia
What You Have To Do
- Add the milk of magnesia to the prune juice and microwave this for 30-45 seconds.
- Drink it while it is warm or once it has cooled down a bit.
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy should give you relief in 1-3 hours.
Why This Works
Milk of magnesia is chemically known as magnesium hydroxide, which is a common ingredient in commercially available antacids and laxatives. It draws fluids into the colon, causing easy movement of the bowels and inducing their evacuation (4).
3. Butter And Prune Juice To Get Rid Of Constipation
Image: IStock
You Will Need
- 6-8 oz prune juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
What You Have To Do
- Heat the prune juice on a medium flame for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the butter and heat for another minute.
- Let this mixture cool down. Drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy will give you instant relief from constipation. Use it as and when required.
Why This Works
The oils from the butter make the passage of the stools smoother from your intestines (5).
4. Apple Juice And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
Image: IStock
You Will Need
- 2-3 glasses prune juice
- 2 glasses apple juice
What You Have To Do
- Drink all of the prune juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
- After half an hour, drink a glass of apple juice.
- Drink another glass of apple juice an hour after the first glass. This helps in cleaning out your bowels properly and making sure that they function as they should.
You can drink orange juice if you do not have any apple juice available.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this in the morning to relieve constipation.
Why This Works
This is a very effective remedy for those who suffer from chronic constipation or have not had bowel movement for 2 to 3 days. It kickstarts bowel movement even if you are suffering from a particularly severe case of constipation (6).
5. Olive Oil And Prune Juice For Constipation
Image: IStock
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
- A glass of prune juice
What You Have To Do
Mix the oil with the prune juice and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat after a few hours if required.
Why This Works
Olive oil promotes healthy digestion and lines the intestinal walls with fats to aid the quick passage of stools (7).
Related: 22 Impressive Benefits Of Olive Oil, How To Select, & Caution
6. Coffee And Prune Juice To Prevent Constipation
Image: IStock
You Will Need
- 1 cup prune juice
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- 1/4 cup hot water
What You Have To Do
- Heat the prune juice by microwaving it for 45-60 minutes.
- Mix the instant coffee with hot water and add this to the prune juice.
- Drink it while it is hot.
How Often You Should Do This
Drinking this once has shown results in hundreds of people.
Why This Works
The warmth of this concoction promotes stool movement and helps you defecate easily (8).
Related: Does Coffee Make You Gain Weight? Real Facts And Benefits
7. Prune Juice And Oat Milk For Constipation
You Will Need
- 1/2 glass prune juice
- 1/2 glass oat milk
What You Have To Do
Mix the two and drink this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every morning until your bowel movement becomes regular.
Why This Works
The combination of oat milk and prune juice is recommended for treating constipation. This mixture facilitates easy movement of the stools (9).
Trivia Louis Pellier, a Frenchman, planted the first prune trees in the United States of America in 1856.
When using these remedies, keep in mind that the amount of prune juice that needs to be consumed to obtain relief from constipation varies from person to person as not everyone responds to dietary changes in the same fashion. You may need to experiment with this juice until you find the optimum quantity that helps you find relief from constipation. If the need is urgent, opt for remedies that work instantly.
Here are some common questions about using prune juice for constipation answered for you.
Apart from drinking prune juice, you also need to adopt other healthy habits, including drinking at least two quarts of water and other fluids every day. This is important because dehydration, as you know, is one of the most common causes of this problem. Making lifestyle changes, like getting regular exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is another great way to make sure that you keep your bowels in good working condition and get relief from constipation.
Related: Oat Milk: Nutrition, Health Benefits, And How To Prepare
Infographic: Must-Know Facts About Prunes
Prunes are an excellent snack, giving you the necessary nutritional boost and satisfying your sweet tooth. You will get a wide range of prunes on the market, prepared from different types of plums. Take a glance at the infographic below to learn some fun facts about prunes and their nutritional value. Scroll down.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
Using prune juice for constipation is an excellent remedy that treats your irregular bowel movements. It is rich in sorbitol and exhibits laxative properties, stimulating bowel movements. The high fiber content in prunes also helps in treating constipation. In addition, prune juice is rich in phenolic compounds, and they function as stimulating laxatives. You can take prune juice alone or mix it with other ingredients. However, if your constipation persists, consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should avoid prunes?
Hannah Whittaker says, “Prune juice is high in sugar (although fruit sugar), so it should always be consumed in moderation. A daily serving would be a maximum of 120 ml. People with diabetes should be careful when taking prune juice as it could cause a spike in blood sugar.”
Is prune juice good for your kidneys?
According to Hannah Whittaker, “Due to their high levels of potassium, if you have concerns with the health of your kidneys, then prunes should be used in moderation. Recommendations are no more than 60 ml of prune juice per day.”
Subscribe
Can prune juice hurt your stomach?
“Yes, prune juice can hurt your stomach. Due to its high fiber content, if too much is taken, then it can cause wind, bloating, diarrhea, and general gastric upset,” says Hannah Whittaker.
How long does it take for prune juice to make you poop?
As we stated above, the response of your digestive system to prune juice may not be the same as seen in other people. In most cases, results are seen on the first day itself.
How much prune juice should be consumed for it to work for constipation?
The following amount of prune juice shows results in most cases (10):
• Adults – 4 to 8 ounces
• Babies – 2 ounces
• Toddlers – 2 to 4 ounces
• Pregnant Women – 4 to 8 ounces
Can you drink too much prune juice?
It is advised not to consume too much prune juice as it is extremely sugary and high in calories.
Is it okay to drink prune juice before bed?
Yes, it is okay to drink prune juice before bed.
Was this article helpful?
“>
Related
The following two tabs change content below.
- Reviewer
- Author
- Expert
Dr. Millie Lytle, ND, MPH
Dr. Millie Lytle has 8 years of experience in naturopathic medicine, is a member of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP), and sits on the Medical Advisory Board for the School of Applied Functional Medicine. She is the founder of Nat Med Coach, offering a weekly Virtual Health Club, as well as concierge programs with integrative teams of…View Profile ›
Kushneet Kukreja, Health & Wellness Writer
Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing. She writes articles on home remedies and ensures to present a balanced perspective to the reader. When she is not…View Profile ›
Hannah Whittaker, BSc, PgDip, RD
Hannah Whittaker is a pregnancy and pediatric dietitian who has been working with women and children for nearly 20 years, the last 7 years as a registered dietitian. She is based in the UK and has clients globally.
Hannah Whittaker is a pregnancy and pediatric dietitian who has been working with women and children for nearly 20 years, the last 7 years as a registered dietitian. She is based in the UK and has clients globally.
