Prunes and raisins for relieving constipation:

What foods causes constipate?  I've heard that prunes help, do raisins also help?

Constipation is generally caused due to a diet comprising of refined sugar, animal fats (dairy products, meats and eggs) and the most important lack of dietary fiber.



A diet that is low in fiber is a common cause for constipation. So avoid foods that are low in fiber like processed foods, refined foods, junk foods, or instant foods. There is no one particular food that is responsible for causing constipation, but as a thumb rule keep in mind that foods that are low in fiber cannot benefit or relieve constipation.



Prunes and raisins are in fact very useful in relieving constipation as they don’t lack fiber. Like prunes, raisins also help; soak 4-5 black or green raisins in half a cup of water at night and eat in the morning with the water. This natural cure when followed regularly, along with a balanced diet rich in fiber and exercise will help to relieve your constipation problems.



Besides these two foods, try the following tips mentioned below to ease your constipation –

1. Exercise plays an important role in the management of constipation. Regular brisk walk or exercise especially of the abdominal muscles will help to improve peristaltic movements in the large intestine and prevent constipation. If you have any health problems, consult a specialist for an exercise prescription along with your medical prescription.
2. Supplement your diet with natural sources of fiber. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cereals and its products, pulses, sprouts and beans in your diet. Fresh fruits and leafy vegetables especially carrots, cabbage, spinach, radish, bananas, dried fruits like figs, raisins, prunes, apricots and dates are useful in treating constipation.
3. Animal fats can lead to constipation as they lack dietary fiber, but this doesn’t mean that you need to exclude them and other fats from the diet altogether. Fat helps to stimulate the bile flow in from the gall bladder and also acts as a lubricant in the lower bowel thus making the defecation process easier. Foods containing fats and oils can be added in moderation in your diet depending on your weight.
4. Drink a lot of fluids in a day especially water. Liberally include more than 10-12 glasses of water per day.
   
   
   
   Warm water with few drops of lime juice when taken early in the morning on an empty stomach works wonders for constipation.
5. Lastly practicing good bowel habits is also very important, don’t suppress your urge to defecate due to certain conditions. Always attend all the calls on time to avoid the problem of constipation.