Due to the generally poor American diet and a sedentary lifestyle, among other things, many people suffer from chronic or at least frequent bouts of constipation. This not only leaves you with an uncomfortable, bloated feeling, it can even increase your chances of developing colon cancer down the road. While there are many medications which can help relieve this temporarily, long-term use of them can cause dependence. A much better way to deal with this is to eat foods that naturally have laxative properties, such as those listed below.
Legumes
Legumes such as peas, beans and lentils are high in fiber and protein but have little fat in them; this makes them ideal for improving digestion, especially the fiber content which will naturally fight off constipation problems.
Broccoli
This super food stimulates enzymes in your body that aid digestion and can also thus help detoxify your body. It is also a great source of dietary fiber.
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds and walnuts, for example, are all high in fiber and protein which again can stimulate digestion and reduce chances of constipation. In addition, they are also high in nutrients like zinc.
Raw Fruits
Not only are fruits high in fiber, they are also tend to have a high water content, which also helps move food through your digestive tract more efficiently. Some of the best foods for this are apples, bananas, melons and berries.
Prunes
This is one of the most powerful natural laxatives to keep the bowels moving; they are high in fiber and also provide good bacteria for the digestive tract.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar contains nutrients and bacteria that make it an incredibly effective laxative and improve bowel irregularity naturally.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is 99% water and also contains a number of enzymes and other nutrients that stimulate digestion and effectively treat constipation problems.
Spices
Spices like cayenne pepper, turmeric and ginger also help digestion, mostly through stimulating the production of enzymes that make your body more efficient at breaking down food and eliminating wastes.
Citrus Fruits
Lemons, orange and limes are all great for detoxification, which improves digestion by helping the body to remove unwanted substances and function more efficiently. Drinking a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning it a great way to start the day right and improve digestion and elimination naturally.
Raw Vegetables
Like raw fruits, vegetables in their natural state tend to have high water and fiber contents and will make it easier for your body to digest food and eliminate waste. Some of the best veggies for this are carrots, cauliflower and cabbage.
So if you do suffer from constipation and would like to treat this problem safely and naturally, consider trying some of the remedies suggested above. None of them will cause dependence and will treat the root cause of the constipation (usually sluggish digestion) rather than just the symptoms to give you effective relief.
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