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What Are the Different Natural Laxative Foods?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Constipation, or difficulty in producing bowel movements, is a common medical condition experienced by many people. Occasional constipation may be the result of diet changes, inadequate nutrition, or even stress and anxiety. While there are many over-the-counter laxatives that can help ease this condition, there are also many natural laxative foods that can quickly aid occasional constipation. By eating or drinking natural laxatives, a person can help correct any nutritional imbalance that may be causing the condition.

Fruits are often a great natural remedy for constipation, as many contain high amounts of fiber. Fiber is an indigestible substance that helps move food through the digestive tract, allowing for easier bowel movements. Apples, bananas, and berries are all excellent natural laxatives foods. One good-sized fruit salad may be enough to cure a minor constipation problem, but to avoid recurrent problems, it is important to include daily servings of fiber-rich foods in a diet.

Prunes are effective natural laxatives.
Prunes are effective natural laxatives.

Prunes are often considered the king of natural laxatives. Extremely high in fiber, prunes also assist with digestion and waste removal by providing the body with a high dose of antioxidants. This natural laxative may be eaten raw or sipped in juice form. For a truly beneficial potion, try blending prunes or prune juice with plain low-fat yogurt. The combination of fiber and bacteria can help quickly push an uncooperative digestive system back in line.

Bananas are a natural laxative.
Bananas are a natural laxative.

In the vegetable world, numerous greens and other veggies can serve as excellent natural laxative foods. Spinach, chard, and kale are excellent greens that can be used to treat a number of digestive conditions. Eating vegetables raw, such as carrots and cabbage, will help get the most nutrition to the body, since cooking often reduces the nutritional content of food. A healthy salad of spinach and tomatoes topped with avocados can be a good way to battle digestive problems with natural laxative foods.

High fiber foods, like apples, are natural laxatives.
High fiber foods, like apples, are natural laxatives.

In small amounts, caffeinated beverages can serve as a good natural laxative. Caffeine serves both as a diuretic and a laxative, so it is important to drink lots of water if attempting to use coffee or caffeinated tea to relieve constipation. Since excessive caffeine can cause the jitters, increased blood pressure, and insomnia, it should be used sparingly. Nevertheless, a morning cup of coffee or tea can be a good way to ward off mild constipation.

Kale is a vegetable that can help with digestive issues.
Kale is a vegetable that can help with digestive issues.

Constipation is often best treated by eating a healthy diet that includes high-fiber foods. If a weekend of junk-food eating has caused a static stomach, spend a day or two loading up on fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables to rejuvenate the system. Throwing in some yogurt can help restore intestinal bacteria to full strength, while trying liquid remedies such as prune juice or coffee can provide the final boost necessary to return to regularity.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

seHiro

Hey, maybe this is a good place to ask this. Does anybody here know if it's safe to use natural laxatives to lose weight? Specifically, natural laxatives for children to drop a few pounds.

My ten year old daughter is struggling with obesity, and even though she eats pretty healthy and gets exercise daily the pounds just won't come off, so I'm thinking it's either dietary or just plain genetic.

I want to help her, and as SkittisH said above, natural laxatives seem much gentler on the body. If this will help my little girl feel better about herself and stop being bullied so much at school, I want to give it a try, but above all I want to be sure it's safe first.

SkittisH

I think natural laxatives are a much healthier way to cure constipation than the over the counter ones. Natural laxatives tend to be gentler, while over the counter ones tend to be stronger laxatives that can make you uncomfortable and gassy in the process of curing your constipation. Unfortunately, I have a lot of food allergies and intolerances, so when I looked up what foods are natural laxatives I was hoping for some that weren't fruits and veggies. Looks like it's coffee for me.

Malka

Caffeine helps cure constipation? I read that to much caffeine could actually promote dehydration because it's a diuretic and a laxative so it makes you flush liquids out of your body faster than you take them in in your diet. I always did wonder why cold coffee is often referred to as one of the best natural laxatives if the caffeine content is the same in cold or hot coffee.

If the caffeine content isn't causing constipation, what is? Maybe if you drink coffee, it makes you need to go to the bathroom more while drinking less water, so your liquid intake is always in a form that makes you flush liquids out faster than you take them in?

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    • Prunes are effective natural laxatives.
      Prunes are effective natural laxatives.
    • Bananas are a natural laxative.
      Bananas are a natural laxative.
    • High fiber foods, like apples, are natural laxatives.
      By: tesgro
      High fiber foods, like apples, are natural laxatives.
    • Kale is a vegetable that can help with digestive issues.
      By: silencefoto
      Kale is a vegetable that can help with digestive issues.
    • A healthy salad can contain natural laxative foods.
      By: dream79
      A healthy salad can contain natural laxative foods.
    • Swiss chard is excellent for digestion and can serve as a natural laxative.
      By: Quanthem
      Swiss chard is excellent for digestion and can serve as a natural laxative.
    • Coffee may be used as a natural laxative.
      By: amenic181
      Coffee may be used as a natural laxative.
    • Eating large quantities of junk food can lead to constipation.
      By: Simone van den Berg
      Eating large quantities of junk food can lead to constipation.
    • A large helping of fruit salad may solve minor constipation problems.
      By: pilipphoto
      A large helping of fruit salad may solve minor constipation problems.
    • Numerous fresh fruits and vegetables are natural laxative foods.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Numerous fresh fruits and vegetables are natural laxative foods.
    • Natural laxatives can help treat constipation.
      By: rob3000
      Natural laxatives can help treat constipation.
    • Oranges may help with constipation.
      By: Dionisvera
      Oranges may help with constipation.