Does Apple Juice Help With Constipation? A Critical Look

Are you struggling with chronic constipation? Do you need some relief now? Thousands of people every day are in this exact same situation. Constipation symptoms can disrupt anyone’s day. 

In this article, our experts take a look at the symptoms of constipation and how everyday grocery items like apple juice can help relieve constipation.

Can Apple Juice Help With Constipation?

Yes, apple juice is a great at-home remedy for when you’re struggling to have regular bowel movements.

Now, let’s look at all the reasons why and how apple juice can help relieve constipation.

Apple juice and fiber

Apples, and apple juice, are both high in dietary fiber as well as sorbitol. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that goes right into the large intestine and pulls in water. When you have extra water in your gut, then your stools become softer and easier to pass.

Advertisement

Apple juice also contains dietary fiber. While you’re not getting the same amount of fiber intake as you would if you were to just eat a raw apple, you’re still getting enough to help your body relieve constipation.

Dietary fiber isn’t digested. Instead, it passes through your body into the gut to help keep you healthy and regular. Apple juice, in particular, is a great way to get dietary fiber because it also provides water. Too much fiber without enough water can actually make constipation worse.

Dehydration can also be one of the leading causes of constipation. Drinking apple juice can help make sure you’re staying hydrated, especially if you have a hard time remembering to drink water.

Symptoms of Constipation

Before we dive into how to relieve constipation, it’s important to know what to look for when you start having strange symptoms related to your bowel movements.

Fewer bowel movements

One of the main symptoms of constipation is very few bowel movements per week. Doctors consider fewer than three stools a week a sign of constipation. Along with this, you may feel like you’re backed up and bloated.

Hard or lumpy stool

When you are having a bowel movement, your stool should pass fairly easily. However, if you find that you’re struggling and straining to pass uncomfortable, hard, or lumpy stools, then you might be struggling with constipation.

Not feeling empty

After bowel movements, you should typically feel as though your body is “empty.” A major sign of constipation is feeling as if you’re not quite able to empty all of your stool, or feeling as though there’s a blockage that’s stopping you from emptying your stool.

Straining to go

A normal, healthy bowel movement should feel relatively easy to pass. When your body is ready to go, your digestive tract does most of the work. A sign of constipation is when you’re physically straining and struggling to pass stool.

How to Relieve Constipation?

Apple juice isn’t the only kind of juice that is good for constipation relief. Other fruit juices also serve their purpose in helping you stay regular, stay hydrated, and relieve stopped-up bowels. If you’re struggling with occasional constipation or even chronic constipation, try these fruit juices.

Fiber supplement

If you’re still struggling with treating constipation, even after trying these at-home fruit juice remedies, you might want to turn towards a dietary supplement. Fiber supplements are a great way to support digestive health and support regular bowel function.

Prune juice

Prune juice is another one of the many fruit juices that are great for constipation relief. Prunes are just dried plums, and they’re well known for their dietary fiber. While a lot of the dietary fiber is lost in the process of turning them into juice, prune juice is still very high in sorbitol and provides a very gentle laxative effect.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is a well-known at-home remedy to treat constipation. Lemons are very high in vitamin C, which can help increase your gut health. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water can cure dehydration and provide constipation relief.

Pear juice

Pear juice is often recommended for children who are struggling with constipation. If you haven’t had a bowel movement in a while, try pear juice. It has four times more sorbitol than apple juice and can help treat constipation.

A Word From our RD

Conclusion

So, can apple juice relieve your constipation? Yes! And so can a number of other juices. Apple juice contains fiber and naturally occurring sorbitol, which are both very good for gut health. However, if apple juice isn’t your flavor, there are also plenty of other juices for constipation.

Constipation can cause all sorts of health problems when it goes on for too long. Fruit juices can help soften stools and make for healthier bowel habits. Getting more fiber and more water in your system can also prevent constipation in the long run.

While fruit juice may not provide immediate relief, it can help form the building blocks of healthy habits that will save you from prolonged constipation in the future.