The health of our body depends for a large part of our diet. Everything we eat is reflected in the state of our body and mind. Constipation has become an evil, affecting most. For its balance, the body needs a good source of vitamins, trace elements and fiber for proper intestinal transit.
If we do not adhere to an adequate diet and if we do not integrate fiber sources, our digestive system will suffer and give way to the appearance of constipation. The latter is manifested by difficulty in evacuating the stool. It can be occasional, for example during a change of diet or a trip, or chronic when it becomes recurrent. Constipation results in hard, dry stools whose periodicity is less than 3 stools per week.
Causes of constipation
Often constipation is an abnormal functioning of the body and many factors are determining:
- Stress is a major factor in constipation, altering the body's natural rhythm
- Dehydration: liquid drinks help to moisturize faeces and facilitate their evacuation.
- Bad eating habits associated with low fiber intake
- Lack of physical activity With good activity, the body's organs, especially the colon, are active, full of life and less lazy to do their job.
- Irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.
- The pregnancy.
- The use of certain drugs that can alter the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Natural remedy
To get rid of this inconvenience, the use of natural remedies can be of great help. There are pills containing a high amount of fiber commercially to overcome this intestinal discomfort. However, focusing on high-fiber foods remains the most effective and least expensive alternative. Among these remedies, we have two ingredients rich in fiber, namely dates and prunes.
Dates are rich in energy, nutrients and vitamins C, B1, B2 and trace elements. They are considered antioxidants thanks to carotenoids and phenolic compounds they contain. In addition, dates contain 57% insoluble fiber and 43% soluble fiber. These are the insoluble fibers that play the most important role in balancing intestinal transit and preventing constipation. This is explained by a simple mechanism: they retain water in the colon and increase the weight of stool, thus facilitating their evacuation.
Prunes are known to be a natural laxative because of the presence of a substance called dihydroxyphenylisatin, which stimulates peristalsis (contraction of the intestine). Moreover, its high fiber content helps fight constipation.
Recipe for the natural purgative
Ingredients
- 150 gr of prunes.
- 150 gr of dates.
- 5 cups of water.
Boil the water and add the dates and prunes cut in half. Let it boil for 15 minutes, until the mixture is homogeneous and has a jam texture. Let the mixture stand until cool. Put this mixture in an airtight container and keep cool.
Consume a tablespoon of this recipe, in the morning on an empty stomach. Taking this remedy will improve the process of your intestinal transit and your daily comfort. Take it in case of severe constipation.
Tips to avoid constipation
In addition to natural remedies to fight against constipation, it is essential to introduce certain habits in his daily life to effectively fight against this discomfort:
- Avoid restraining yourself from going to the bathroom: by retaining the stool, they become hard and do not drain easily.
- Stay hydrated and favor a healthy diet rich in fiber.
- Exercise regularly.
- Go to the bathroom at fixed and regular times to impose this daily ritual on the intestines, without making the effort to push.
- Drink a large glass of water before each meal.
- The use of a footboard or Turkish toilet facilitates the evacuation of stool.
Warning: if despite taking natural remedies, your constipation persists, you should consult your doctor to avoid any complications in your health.