Top 15 Foods That Are Natural Laxatives

Photo credit: bigstock

Do you suffer from frequent bouts of constipation? If you do, don’t worry, you are not alone. You don’t have to suffer, however, or rely on those over the counter medications. It seems there is a cure in nature for everything and that includes constipation.

By the way, did you know that some gums end up being natural laxatives? Of course they certainly aren’t intended to be that way, but some sugarless gums ( and candies) that contain xylitol end up giving you that laxative effect, when consumed in sufficient quantities. Although this isn’t a good way to get your bowels moving, if your kids eat an entire large package of sugarless gum, or those sugar free gummy bears and end up with diarrhea, now you know why!

Take a look at the top 15 foods that act as natural laxatives and you will never need to suffer from this condition again!

1. Beans, Legumes, Peas

Beans, peas, legumes are all high in fiber and protein but low in fat and cholesterol. All of these things will help with digestion, and the high fiber content will help keep things moving in your colon.

2. Broccoli

This veggie is high in antioxidants and stimulates the enzymes that will detox your entire digestive system like nothing else can. Broccoli sprouts can actually be more effective than the mature vegetable. Read more information about broccoli benefits.

3. Raw Seeds and Nuts

Try to find ways to add more raw seeds and raw nuts into your diet such as flaxseed, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds. These are all very high in fiber, protein, zinc and other essential nutrients.

4. Raw Organic Fruits

Most fruits are very high in water content, which not only keeps things moving, but helps the body to flush out toxins. Fruits are also high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. The best fruits for constipation are:

Bananas – These sweet fruits are naturally high in fiber and bulk, and great for promoting the digestion. Eating a banana each day will help to restore electrolytes and potassium to your digestive tract. Bananas also contain a compound called fructooligosaccharide, which encourages the growth of the beneficial bacteria in your intestines.
Apples – Apples are high in pectin. This compound stimulates the bowels and provides bulk that is necessary for your bowels to move properly. One of the best natural laxatives around comes from apples, apple cider vinegar.
Melons – All types of melons are great for constipation as they all have high water content. Melons are very easy on the digestive system as well, passing very quickly through the stomach and onto the intestines.
Berries – Extremely high in antioxidants, eating berries on a daily basis are a great way to keep your colon clean. All berries are good for this purpose, whether they be cherries, strawberries, cranberries, blue berries, or raspberries.

Continue to Page 2

Photo credit: bigstock

5. Prunes

Often called “nature’s laxative”, prunes provide super beneficial bacteria to the digestive track, and add dietary fiber. They might be small, but these are very powerful laxatives. Just a 2 or 3 each day will keep your bowels working smoothly.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another one of nature’s best laxatives is raw apple cider vinegar. This liquid made from apples can help improve any irregularity of the bowels you might be feeling, and removes toxins from the body. Find out all uses of apple cider vinegar.

Be sure you are using raw organic apple cider vinegar as it has living nutrients and live bacteria, which is what makes it work so well.

7. Aloe Vera

This is one of the oldest remedies known to man. If you have never seen the plant up close, the entire leaf is filled with a gel that is made up of 99 percent water. In that other 1 percent is at least 75 nutrients, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, 12 vitamins, and 200 active compounds such as enzymes and phytonutrients. Many people drink a few tablespoons of aloe vera gel mixed in a bit of juice or water to keep their bowels in good working order, but also for the vitamins and minerals it provides.

8. Cayenne Pepper, Ginger and Turmeric

These are a great way to get added health benefits, as well as stimulating the digestive system, all while adding some great flavor to your foods. Cayenne pepper increases the flow of enzymes and gastric juices while organic, fresh ginger is well-known for its ability to improve the digestive system. Turmeric helps the liver to detox the body and supports the enzyme function within the digestive track.

9. Citrus Fruits

All citrus fruits, especially lemons, oranges, and limes, have powerful detox abilities. These aid the body in flushing toxins while jump starting your digestion with their enzymes. Vitamin C is perhaps one of the best detox vitamins around as it can transform toxins into material that can be passed out of the body. Drinking a glass of lemon juice and water every morning is a great way to start your day, keep your bowels moving, and improve digestion all in one glass.

10. Raw Vegetables

Like fruits, raw vegetables are another way to keep your colon clean and healthy. Some of the best vegetables for this purpose are:

Carrots – These are high in pectin and stimulate bowel contractions while adding much needed bulk to your stools.
Garlic – Just a small amount of this powerful little bulb will go a long way. It contains several compounds that help activate enzymes in the liver that will encourage your body to flush out toxins. Squeeze just a clove or two and eat it raw of add it to some of your favorite food dishes.
Cauliflower – This white veggie is a great way to increase the amount of glucosinolates in your body, which adds to the enzyme production of your live. Besides helping the body to detox, cauliflower is well-known for significantly lower your risk of developing cancer.
Cabbage – Much like cauliflower, cabbage helps to flush out toxins. This popular veggie also helps to add bulk and soften the stool. Try eating more sauerkraut, cabbage soup, and kimchi.

11. Tomatoes

This popular vegetable is another great food with laxative properties. Rich in vitamin C, A, and K, one tomato can provide you with 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement. They also contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which can help you prevent prostate and colon cancer.

12. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You can find healthy omega -3 fatty acids in avocado oil, hemp oil, flax seed oil, and olive oil. There are all great choices as natural laxatives and they, too, will help flush out toxins. These oils lubricate the intestinal walls and absorb toxins, which are then eliminated from the body.

13. Coconut Oil

This oil not only improves digestion and bowel function but it can relieve the irritation and pain of hemorrhoids. Coconut oil reduces inflammation and supports the healing of body tissues. Be sure to get raw, organic, extra virgin coconut oil. This way you avoid GM additives and any possibility of added chemicals or compounds.

14. Leafy Green Vegetables

Just about all leafy green veggies are fantastic at keeping your bowels moving as they add necessary bulk and fiber to your diet. Try eating more kale, spinach, dandelion greens, chard, beet greens, mustard greens, alfalfa, chicory, and watercress. All these leafy greens are high in folic acid, calcium, magnesium, along with vitamins C and K, all of which are nutrients that are necessary to increase the production of bile, which is what removes waste from the blood and organs of the body.

15. Avocados

Packed with beneficial nutrients such as potassium, folate, vitamin D, and dietary fiber, eating just one avocado per day, you will have consumed 30 percent of your daily fiber needs. Avocados help to fight many types of cancer and improve the absorption of nutrients from other foods.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Water is perhaps the best known natural laxative that can help to relieve constipation very quickly. Water moistens the intestines and keeps your stools soft. Your body is made up of almost 80 percent water, so be sure to drink at least 8 glasses of purified water every single day.

Decaf coffee can sometimes do the trick. Drinking two or three cups of decaf ( so you don’t get the jitters) will sometimes work. Just don’t do this when you plan on having a long meeting later on in the morning!

Prev Next