Is Banana Good for Constipation?
Constipation is a common health issue. Most of us have dealt with it at some point in our lives. This condition can be quite frustrating, especially if it occurs frequently.
Constipated people often feel bloated, strain when passing stool, need to press their abdomen to empty the rectum and suffer from a loss of appetite.
They may feel discomfit and uneasy throughout the day and even find it hard to concentrate.
Causes of Constipation
Constipation can occur due to many reasons and may have more than one cause at a time. Common causes of constipation include:
Physical Inactivity – Low levels of physical activity are the number one cause of constipation. Individuals who spend most of their time sitting in a chair or lying on the bed have a higher risk of constipation.
Lack of Fibre in the Diet – Low intake of dietary fiber is another reason why you may be constipated.
Fiber promotes a healthy gut and regular bowel movement when combined with proper hydration. So, increase dietary fiber and water intake to keep your gut happy.
Changes in Routine – This is also a primary cause of constipation. When an individual travels, their usual routine changes. They eat meals, go to bed, and use the bathroom at different times, thus leading to constipation.
Lifestyle Choices – People these days are busy and have no time to cook fresh healthy meals and rely on junk food. Can cause constipation. Other bad lifestyle choices such as smoking, stress, and overeating are also causes of constipation.
Overuse of Laxatives – Some people worry they do not use the bathroom often enough and consume laxatives to solve the issue. Laxatives help with bowel movement but with continuous use, the body gets accustomed to it.
Medical Conditions – Some medical conditions may also lead to constipation like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colorectal problems, intestinal blockage, and cancer treatment.
How to Relieve Constipation
Simple lifestyle changes can help relieve constipation. This includes adding more fiber to the diet, keeping yourself hydrated, exercising regularly, avoiding junk food, and eating fruits and vegetables.
A common belief is that bananas help relieve constipation. However, some people also think that this fiber-rich food causes constipation rather than relieving it. So, what is the answer? Is banana good for constipation or can it trigger it? Read on to find out.
Is Banana Good for Constipation?
Constipation is a condition characterized by irregular bowel movement and hard stool. Bananas are the most popular home remedy to get some relief from constipation, this is because they are a rich source of fiber.
Fiber-rich foods have been shown to combat constipation. Fiber promotes the absorption of water, thus making the stool soft and easy to pass through the digestive system.
So, how much fiber does a banana have? A medium-sized banana has about 3.1 grams of fiber, which makes it a wonderful addition to the dietary fiber intake diet. However, some believe that a banana triggers constipation.
What is the Truth? Is Banana Good for Constipation or Bad?
Is banana good for constipation? Green bananas can have the opposite effect.
The answer to this lies in the ripeness and color of the banana.
Ripe or yellow bananas have substantial amounts of soluble fiber that can be digested easily. Bananas also contain dietary fiber (pectin), which draws water from the intestines toward the stool.
When you eat fiber-rich foods, fiber moves to the large intestine without being digested. Dietary fiber absorbs water so if you drink water after eating a banana, the fiber in the banana absorbs water and swells up in the large intestine. It makes the stool soft and bulky.
The soft stool is easy to pass through thus giving relief from constipation.
Unripe or green bananas have a high content of insoluble fiber. If you eat a green banana and don’t drink enough water, then the fiber will form a hard bulk in the intestine.
This will make it difficult to pass, thus causing constipation.
How to Have a Banana to Relieve Constipation
Bananas help in reducing constipation if eaten the correct way. Here are a few popular remedies you can try. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water when consuming high-fiber foods.
Here are the ways to eat a banana to help relieve constipation.
Banana and Honey
Banana and honey when combined works wonder to help relieve constipation. You will need 1 ripe banana, 3 teaspoons of honey, and water. Cut the banana and blend the slices with water and honey and drink the mixture.
You can take this mixture 1 to 2 times a day.
Why does this work? Honey has a mild laxative effect and when combined with fiber and water it helps relives constipation.
Banana and Papaya
Papaya has digestion-enhancing properties that when combined with fiber from bananas work well in treating constipation.
You need 1 cup of diced papaya, 1 sliced banana, and water. Blend all the ingredients and drink the mixture twice a day until the symptoms of constipation subside.
Conclusion
Is banana good for constipation? Ripe banana is great for constipation and feeds healthy bacteria to the gut. The nutritional value of a banana is known across the world.
Try the remedies mentioned above and get rid of constipation. However, if you think it’s been a long that you are unable to cure constipation, consult the doctor.
See Also:
Are Bananas Good for Acid Reflux
