The recommended daily amount of prunes is four to five whole prunes per day or about 1 cup (237 ml) of prune juice for an adult. When someone suffering from constipation starts to use prunes as a laxative, he should start with a small quantity. This quantity would be one to two prunes or about one quarter cup (59 ml) of prune juice. Prune juice for constipation does not contain fibers, but will still draw water in your gut (sorbitol) and stimulate forward movement (phenolics). Do not use the 'pulp added' type for which fibers have been added back-in. How much to take. If you want to try prunes or prune juice for constipation, here are the quantities I suggest.
ServingA recommended treatment for constipation is 50 g dried prunes twice daily. The 50 g serving equates to about seven medium-sized prunes. This treatment has been shown to be better than a standard 11 g dose of psyllium taken twice a day. Prunes produce more spontaneous bowel movements weekly and better stool consistency, according to A. Attaluri, lead author of the study in “Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.'
Prunes and psyllium are equally well tolerated, Attaluri notes. FiberThe dietary fiber in prunes is partly responsible for their laxative effect, according to “Nutrition and Health” by Eugene A. The amounts in Attaluri’s study, 50 g prunes and 11 g psyllium, provide equal amounts of fiber – about 6 g. However, the skin of prunes also contains a chemical substance called dihydrophenylisatin that is a gentle stimulant laxative, DeFelice notes. Prunes also contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that draws water from the intestine and helps produce their laxative effect. FluidIncrease your fluid intake as you increase your fiber intake with prunes.
The University of Iowa recommends at least 8 cups of fluid daily. Drinking water and other liquids adds fluid to your colon. This helps bulk your stools and makes your bowel movements softer as well as easier to pass.
You actually raise your risk for constipation if you increase fiber but do not take in enough fluids, advises Dr. William Sears, associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine. JuiceIf you do not want to consume prunes, you may use prune juice to combat constipation. An adult dose is one-half cup prune juice. For babies and children, consult a physician. The usual advice for babies is 1 to 2 oz.
Prune juice, according to PubMed Health. Your grandmother’s remedy for constipation – prunes – is still an effective remedy today. In fact, prunes may work better for alleviating this condition than fiber supplements like psyllium, according to a study reported in April 2011 in “Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.'
This treatment has been shown to be better than a standard 11 g dose of psyllium taken twice a day. Prunes also contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that draws water from the intestine and helps produce their laxative effect.
Drinking water and other liquids adds fluid to your colon.
Prunes as a are considered highly effective. The laxative effect comes from the prunes' ability to draw water into the intestines, the fruit's high concentration of and a compound they contain called dihydrophenylisatin. When consumed in a reasonable serving size, prunes as a laxative are typically safe and have minimal side effects.There are three reasons for the efficacy of prunes as a laxative. First, these dried plums are concentrated with the simple sugars fructose and sucrose. These sugars are not easily broken down in the digestive tract and, as a result, the undigested sugars pull water from the body and concentrate it in the stool. The extra water softens the bowel movements and eases the passage of fecal matter.The insoluble fiber prunes contain increases the bulk of a bowel movement, which helps to move the fecal matter more quickly through the body. The high fiber content also helps to improve the regularity of bowel movements.
The dihydrophenylisatin contained in prunes serves as a compound that promotes the contractions in the intestine needed to pass fecal matter.There are a variety of ways to increase the amount of prunes in the diet. Prunes can be eaten whole, added to salads or meat-containing dishes and eaten with cheese. If the taste of whole prunes is not tolerable, prune juice can be ingested or mixed with apple juice once or twice a day.
The recommended daily amount of prunes is four to five whole prunes per day or about 1 cup (237 ml) of prune juice for an adult. When someone suffering from starts to use prunes as a laxative, he should start with a small quantity. This quantity would be one to two prunes or about one quarter cup (59 ml) of prune juice. Once the body has become used to the effects of the prunes as a laxative, the amount taken per day can be raised or held as it is if the lower dose is effective. If the recommended daily dose is used right from the start, the constipated person may experience cramping and diarrhea.Besides prunes, there are many other foods that can be used as natural laxatives to relieve constipation.
Fruits, such as apples, melons and oranges, with their high water content, can help constipation. Vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, are high in fiber, helping fecal matter to move though the intestines. Raw apple cider is also touted as a good natural laxative, promoting the growth of the natural flora in the gut and easing constipation. @SarahSon- The apple cider vinegar sounds interesting. But I'm not sure what you mean when you say 'the mother.'
I don't know why but natural laxatives that are dried fruits never taste good. Prunes, dried apricots, dried figs are all natural laxatives. Just have a few pieces first thing in the morning followed by a glass of warm water and you'll never be constipated. But, they don't taste good! I guess neither does medication.I have prunes regularly as a laxative. First, because they work amazingly well. Second, because they're natural and third, they're easily found and affordable.
Even though I don't enjoy eating them, I think of it as medicine and force myself if I have to. And considering all the potential health problems I can have in the long term because of constipation (like bowel cancer), I think I prefer prunes. @John57- I like the taste of prunes, but I cannot stand the taste of prune juice, so I know how you feel.I know that prunes are recommended over plums as a laxative.
But plums have a similar amount of fiber, so I don't think it's a bad idea to have plums instead if you can't stand prunes. I love having dark, sweet plums in the summer. So I know that they help regulate bowel movements just as prunes do.Another option could be using chopped prunes along with nuts and oatmeal to make cookies. The other ingredients should hide the flavor of prunes well and you'll still be getting some prunes in your diet. Eating prunes for constipation is one of those remedies that has been around a long time.
Both of my parents have commented on how this is what their parents used for constipation problems.It is interesting how some of the older, natural remedies like this work best. Many of the newer products on the market have side effects and ingredients that I would prefer not to have.Another thing that works just as well as prunes for constipation is apple cider vinegar that has 'the mother' in it. This is different than the processed cider vinegar you find in most stores.I find this works just as well, and like the taste of this better than eating prunes or drinking prune juice. If you are drinking a juice like this for constipation, I have found that adding a little bit of honey to prune juice or apple cider vinegar really helps. When someone suggested I eat some prunes to help with constipation, I found out that you really do want to start out with just a few.I really was tired of being miserable, so I ate about 5 prunes one night before going to bed. They worked the way they were supposed to, but I think it would have been better if I had started out with just one or two and worked my way up.This was the first time I had ever eaten a prune and wondered if I would like the taste or not.
For me, they don't really seem to have that much of a taste. I don't find them tasty or offensive either way, but just know they work well and try to make sure I eat some every day. I really can't handle eating prunes and find myself almost gagging on them. Even though prunes are dried plums, to me, there is a huge difference in taste.
I actually like the taste of a fresh plum, but won't touch a prune.My dad will drink prune juice mixed with apple juice or grape juice. I tried this once and even had a hard time getting that down.Thankfully, I have enough fruits and vegetables in my diet that I don't have a problem with constipation. On the rare occasions when I need some extra help, I will rely on an herbal supplement.If the only natural choice I had for constipation was eating prunes, I still don't know if I would be able to do it. They would have to somehow be disguised or mixed in with other food in order for me to get them down. Although this is a conversation many people are embarrassed to have, it is helpful to know what works as a natural laxative. I have tried several things and finally went back to using what my grandmother has used for years to help with constipation.I really don't mind the taste of prunes and have no trouble popping a couple in my mouth a few times throughout the day. I have found if I do this on a regular basis, I have fewer problems than I do when I get lazy and forget about eating them.I know not everybody likes the taste of prunes, but for me, they aren't a bad snack, and often times I will eat them with some crackers and cheese for some variety.