Orange juice is a breakfast staple for many people. But did you know that gulping down a glass of OJ can also help get your bowels moving? That’s right – orange juice can be used as a natural remedy for constipation. Keep reading to learn about Does Orange Juice Help You Poop and how you can use it to relieve constipation.
Constipation is a common digestive issue affecting people of all ages. It occurs when stool passes through the large intestine too slowly, causing it to become hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Constipation can cause bloating, stomach pain, and a feeling that you can’t completely empty your bowels.
While OJ may not be a cure-all, drinking orange juice can be an effective way to get constipation relief. The nutrients and compounds found in orange juice have a laxative effect for many people. Let’s explore why orange juice makes you poop and how it helps relieve constipation.
How Does Orange Juice Make You Poop? The Laxative Effects Explained
There are a few reasons why orange juice can help stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation:
Contains Soluble Fiber
Orange juice contains soluble fiber from the pulp and fruit. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the intestines and adds bulk to stool. This softens and adds weight to stool, allowing it to move smoothly through the colon. The fiber provides bulk that stimulates the intestines to push the stool along and out during a bowel movement.
Provides Fluids
Orange juice is made up of mostly water, with some natural sugars. All this fluid helps to soften up any hard, dry stool that leads to constipation. The fluid softens the stool and also provides hydration to the colon, allowing stool to absorb the fluid, move easier, and pass out of the body with less effort.
Has Natural Laxatives
Oranges contain certain compounds like naringin that have natural, mild laxative effects on the body. When you consume orange juice, these compounds go to work stimulating your digestive tract to contract and push stool through the intestines. This makes you poop more easily.
High in Vitamin C
Orange juice is packed with immune-boosting vitamin C. This key vitamin plays a role in relieving constipation because vitamin C draws water into the colon. Pulling more fluid into the colon softens up stool, allowing it to pass out of the body with greater ease and frequency.
Energizes Digestion
The natural sugars like fructose in orange juice can provide the body and digestive system with an energizing boost. This energy can help “wake up” a sluggish digestive system and stimulate increased movement of stool through the intestines and colon. Better energetics can lead to productive bowel movements.
Does Green Juice Make You Poop Naturally?
While orange juice is known for its constipation-relieving properties, green juices, often made from leafy greens like spinach and kale, can also have a similar effect. Green juices are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy addition to your diet. The fiber in green juices adds bulk to your stool, and the vitamins and minerals support overall digestive health.
Green juices, like orange juice, provide hydration and can help soften stool, making it easier to pass. Additionally, the natural enzymes and compounds in green vegetables can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements.
You can also read article on Does Green Juice Make You Poop
Choosing the Best Electric Juicer for Oranges Naturally:
When it comes to making fresh orange juice at home, having the best electric juicer for oranges can make the process easy and convenient. Look for a juicer that is efficient in extracting juice from oranges while preserving their natural nutrients.
With the right electric citrus juicer , you can enjoy fresh, natural orange juice as part of your constipation relief strategy. Incorporate this healthy beverage into your daily routine, and you’ll be on your way to maintaining a healthy digestive system naturally.
How Much Orange Juice Should You Drink for Constipation Relief?
Drinking one or two glasses of orange juice per day can help provide constipation relief. Most experts recommend consuming around 8 ounces of orange juice each morning.
Be sure to drink orange juice with the pulp, as the fiber is found in the pulp of the orange. Store-bought orange juice with pulp or freshly squeezed juice from oranges are ideal options.
Some people find that drinking a large 16-ounce glass of orange juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning is most effective for having a bowel movement. Others prefer to slowly drink 8 ounces of orange juice upon waking and then another 8 ounces 30 minutes later.
Find the orange juice routine that works best with your digestive system. Pay attention to when you have a bowel movement after drinking orange juice to determine the optimal consumption method and amount for your needs.
What Other Fruit Juices Help Relieve Constipation?
While orange juice is one of the most popular juices to help make you poop, other fruit juices can also have a laxative effect due to their fluid, fiber, vitamin, and mineral content. Some examples include:
Prune Juice
Prune juice is probably the most widely used natural laxative. It contains sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol that has a laxative effect and pulls water into the colon to soften stool. Prune juice also provides potassium and vitamin A to support healthy digestion. Drinking a glass of prune juice on an empty stomach can stimulate bowel movements within a few hours. It’s very effective at relieving constipation.
Apple Juice
Apple juice contains soluble fiber from pectin that helps stool absorb water and move through the intestines. Apples also contain sorbitol, which acts as a natural laxative. The fluid in apple juice also hydrates the digestive tract. Drink a glass of apple juice daily to keep your digestion regular.
Pear Juice
Similar to apple juice, pear juice provides soluble fiber like pectin to add bulk to stool. Pears also contain sorbitol, which draws water into the colon for softer bowel movements. The high fluid content also prevents dehydration that leads to constipation. Pear juice is a gentle laxative beverage.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice contains anthroquinones, which are compounds that stimulate intestinal contractions and have a laxative effect. Aloe also contains mucilage to help stool absorb water. Drink 2-4 ounces of aloe vera juice daily to keep your digestion regular.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice provides soluble fiber to add bulk and weight to stool for easier passing. It also contains potassium and polyphenols to support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. The tannins in pomegranate improve intestinal contractions as well. Drink a 6-8 oz glass daily.
Cherry juice
Drinking cherry juice can also help get things moving when you’re backed up. Cherries contain soluble fiber that absorbs water to soften stool. They also provide sorbitol, which acts as a natural laxative compound.
Cherries are high in potassium as well to regulate muscle contractions in the intestines. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in cherries, like anthocyanins, support overall intestinal health.
Drink an 8-ounce glass of unsweetened cherry juice once daily to ease constipation. The fiber, sorbitol, and potassium in cherry juice gently stimulate the intestines for more regular bowel movements.
Grape juice
Grape juice can also help relieve constipation in a few ways. It contains soluble fiber from cellulose and hemicellulose that add bulk to stool. The juice also provides hydration to soften hard stool.
Grapes contain certain fruit acids that stimulate contraction of the intestinal muscles to move stool along.
In addition, the antioxidants in grapes, like resveratrol, support healthy digestion and absorption. Drink a cup of unsweetened grape juice daily to stay regular.
The fiber, fluids, and nutrients in grape juice work together to ease constipation gently and effectively.
Experiment with different natural, high-fiber fruit juices in moderation to determine which are most effective for getting your digestive system moving.
10 Benefits of Drinking Orange Juice to Relieve Constipation
Here are the 10 benefits of drinking orange juice to relieve constipation, written out with a heading and paragraph for each:
-
Adds Fluid to Soften Stool
Drinking orange juice adds important fluid to your digestive system, which helps to soften and loosen stool in your intestines. The fluid softens the hard, dry stool that leads to constipation. This gentle natural laxative effect makes passing stool easier. Even 8 ounces of orange juice in the morning can provide the fluid needed to support a bowel movement.
-
Contains Soluble Fiber to Provide Bulk
Orange juice contains soluble fiber from the pulp and fruit. This fiber helps to add bulk and weight to stool in the colon, allowing it to move more smoothly and easily through the intestines. The fiber draws water into the colon as well, further softening the stool. Fiber provides a natural laxative effect.
-
Compounds Have a Laxative Effect
Compounds found naturally in oranges, like naringin, have a mild laxative effect on the body. These compounds stimulate the digestive tract to push stool along, allowing for more regular bowel movements. The laxative effects of the compounds in orange juice make it easier to go when constipated.
-
High in Vitamin C to Pull Water into the Colon
Orange juice is very high in immune-boosting vitamin C. This key vitamin can help pull water into the colon, further softening and loosening stool. It adds fluid to the colon to allow for easier passing of stool and relief of constipation symptoms. Just one serving of juice contains over 100% of your daily vitamin C needs.
-
Energizes the Body to Stimulate Digestion
The natural sugars and carbohydrates in orange juice can help provide the body with an energizing boost. This allows the digestive system to wake up and become stimulated. When your digestion becomes energized after drinking juice, it starts moving stool through the intestines more efficiently.
-
Bioflavonoids Improve Intestinal Function
Orange juice contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids. These compounds help improve overall intestinal health and function. They can help stimulate intestinal contractions to move stool along while reducing inflammation that may be contributing to constipation. This improves motility and absorption.
-
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The antioxidants in orange juice have anti-inflammatory properties. This can help reduce inflammation of the intestinal lining and improve the overall functioning of the digestive tract. Less intestinal inflammation allows stool to move more smoothly through the colon.
-
Helps Balance Gut Bacteria
The nutrients in orange juice, like vitamin C and potassium, help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut microbiome. This balance of gut bacteria aids digestion and helps food and stool easily move through your intestines.
-
Provides Potassium to Regulate Muscle Contractions
Orange juice contains the mineral potassium, which helps regulate contractions of the intestinal muscles. This action helps squeeze and push stool through the intestines and out of the body more effectively. Potassium also pulls water into the colon to ease constipation.
-
Improves Hydration to Prevent Constipation
Drinking orange juice improves hydration levels in the body, which is key to preventing constipation. Good hydration allows stool to remain soft and pass more easily. Preventing dehydration and constipation from recurring is one of the top benefits of enjoying orange juice.
What’s the Best Time to Drink Orange Juice for Constipation Relief?
The best time to drink orange juice for relieving constipation is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Drink a large glass or two smaller glasses of orange juice right when you wake up, before eating anything else. This allows the fluid and compounds in the orange juice to go directly into your digestive tract to stimulate bowel movements.
Many people find that drinking orange juice about 30 minutes before breakfast leads to more productive bathroom visits. The orange juice has time to start working before you consume more food and beverages.
Be sure to drink the juice slowly instead of gulping it down. This gives your body time to absorb all the fluid. Waiting 15-30 minutes after drinking orange juice before eating breakfast is ideal.
Some people also drink a glass of orange juice mid-morning or in the late afternoon if they still haven’t had a bowel movement that day. Listen to your body’s signals.
Are there Risks of Drinking Too Much Orange Juice?
While orange juice can be constipation relief, drinking too much may lead to some risks including:
- Gas, bloating, and abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Tooth decay from acidity and sugar
- High blood sugar in diabetics
- Interactions with certain medications
Limit orange juice to no more than 8-16 oz per day, consumed in the morning. Too much can cause loose stools or other intestinal issues. Those with diabetes and acid reflux may need further restrictions.
Also, avoid drinking orange juice too close to taking medications, as the juice can affect proper absorption. Always check with your doctor about medication interactions.
Moderation is key to reap the benefits of orange juice for constipation without side effects. Focus on incorporating orange juice as part of a high-fiber, balanced diet.
Does Orange Juice With or Without Pulp Help Constipation?
OJ with pulp contains more fiber, which adds bulk and weight to stool. However, both pulp and no-pulp orange juice can make you poop.
If you don’t have fresh-squeezed, opt for juice with pulp over strained varieties. But even pulp-free OJ contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can stimulate your bowels.
Tips for Using Orange Juice to Relieve Constipation
Here are some quick tips to get the most out of drinking orange juice for constipation:
- Opt for fresh squeezed or juice with pulp
- Drink 8-12 ounces on an empty stomach in the morning
- Can also drink 4-8 ounces before bedtime
- Mix with other juices high in sorbitol like prune or pear juice
- Combine with foods high in fiber like oatmeal or bran cereal
- Drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated
- Move your body – exercise helps get things moving
Natural Constipation Relief By Eating Oranges
While OJ can help make you poop, eating whole oranges offers benefits too. Oranges contain pectin, a soluble fiber that acts as a natural laxative. The membrane and pulp of whole oranges have more fiber than juiced oranges.
Eat 1-2 whole oranges per day. You can also snack on orange segments along with nuts and seeds, which provide fiber and healthy fats to lubricate stools.
When to See Your Doctor About Constipation
Minor constipation can often be resolved with lifestyle changes like more exercise, a high fiber diet, and drinking orange juice. However, see your doctor if:
- Constipation lasts longer than 3 weeks
- You experience intense pain and cramping
- Constipation is accompanied by nausea or vomiting
- You have thin, ribbon-like stools
- You have blood in stool or black stool
- Laxatives or juice provide no relief
Chronic constipation may be a symptom of an underlying health condition that needs treatment. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.
Faqs
How long does orange juice take to help constipation?
Orange juice typically begins helping relieve constipation within 30 minutes to 3 hours after drinking it. The fluid, fiber, and compounds in orange juice work relatively quickly to soften stool and stimulate bowel movements. Many people find orange juice helps them poop within 1-2 hours of consuming it.
What makes you poop instantly?
Coffee, tea, prune juice, castor oil, magnesium citrate, and Dulcolax can make you poop almost instantly within 30 minutes to 2 hours. These liquids contain caffeine, laxatives, and compounds that rapidly stimulate contractions to trigger bowel movements.
Does orange juice help with constipation during pregnancy?
Yes, orange juice can safely help relieve pregnancy-related constipation. Its fluid content hydrates and softens stool while the fiber adds gentle bulk. However, moderation is key, and avoid juice with pathogens like unpasteurized juice. Speak to your doctor first before using orange juice as a remedy while pregnant.
Does orange juice cause constipation?
No, orange juice does not typically cause constipation. Its fluid, fiber, vitamin C and compounds help combat constipation by softening stool and stimulating the bowels. However, some people may experience bloating or diarrhea if they consume excessive amounts of orange juice.
What are the best juices for constipation in babies?
The best juices for relieving constipation in babies include diluted prune, pear, or apple juice. These provide gentle fiber, sorbitol, and fluids. Always discuss juices with your pediatrician before giving to a baby. Only give small amounts of diluted juice once a day to babies over 6 months old.
Does orange juice help with constipation in babies?
Orange juice can help relieve constipation in babies over 6 months old. The fluid softens their stools while the soluble fiber adds bulk. Give babies 1-3 ounces diluted with water once a day. Check with your pediatrician before giving orange juice to treat a baby’s constipation.
Conclusion
When constipation strikes, look no further than the refrigerator for relief. Drinking orange juice is an easy, delicious way to help stimulate bowel movements and get things moving again.
Be sure to choose orange juice with pulp and drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Limit intake to 8-16 ounces per day. Orange juice works best alongside a diet rich in fiber, fluids, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits to prevent constipation.
Incorporate fresh-squeezed or store-bought orange juice with pulp into your daily routine for gentle, effective relief from uncomfortable constipation symptoms. Just one more reason to love this bright, refreshing beverage!
In summary, Does Orange Juice Help You Poop naturally? Yes, it can be a helpful and natural way to alleviate constipation discomfort.
