May help relieve constipation In many cases, drinking water is an effective way to relieve and prevent constipation. Staying hydrated helps soften stool and makes it easier to pass. Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.
According to Cleveland Clinic, drinking warm water in the morning can help with constipation, because "your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one big muscle, so the heat of the water relaxes your GI tract a bit to help things like constipation."
In addition, hot water is beneficial to digestion, which is what you want after a meal. Speaking of digestion, it can help to keep you regular, as well as make your bowel movements healthy and pain free. Dehydration can result in chronic problems with constipation.
The risks of drinking hot water include tissue damage, reduced thirst signals that can cause you to not drink as much as you should, and increased sweating that may require more hydration than normal when exercising.
Under the precepts of Chinese medicine, balance is key, and hot or warm water is considered essential to balance cold and humidity; in addition, it is believed to promote blood circulation and toxin release.
Drinking warm water before bed will keep you hydrated through the night and may help the body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. It may also help to relieve pain or cramping in the stomach. If plain water is too bland or if you're trying to beat a cold, consider adding lemon to you water before bed.
Drinking hot water helps to break down food faster than drinking cold or warm water. It reduces the risk of constipation by supporting regular bowel movements.
Potato chips, pretzels, cookies, pastries, and other processed snack foods have high salt, processed sugar, and fat content, and are low in water content. “All these factors combined cause constipation,” Dr. Lee says. These snack foods are also often poor sources of dietary fiber.
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
Try a combination of oatmeal and flax meal. Flax meal is ground flax seeds, which are extremely rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. You can further increase the fiber factor by stirring in some raisins. Dried fruit is very high in fiber too.
Not enough fiber.
You may become constipated if you don't eat enough high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation.
Since constipation is related to dehydration in the colon, you need to make sure you are drinking lots of water. When your body is properly hydrated, less water will be withdrawn from the colon. This will keep your stool soft and easy to pass.
According to experts, hot water consumption in the morning preps your gut for the rest of the day and may contribute to weight loss. Specifically, it clears the intestines, prevents bloating, and gets rid of excess water weight via contraction of the bowels.
Drinking warm water before bed will increase the likelihood that you will urinate more at night.
Lemon juice – a cleansing way to encourage bowel movements is to try taking a glass of water mixed with the juice of half a lemon before bed and when you wake up. You may want to drink with a straw as you could find your teeth becoming sensitive after a regular course of lemon water.
The fats in olive oil can help smooth the insides of the bowel, making it easier for stools to pass. It can also help the stool hold in more water, keeping it softer. One tablespoon of olive oil, taken on an empty stomach in the morning, may relieve constipation for many healthy adults.
Insoluble fiber is the most beneficial for softening stools. It does not dissolve in water and helps food pass more quickly from the stomach to the intestines. Wholewheat flour, nuts, beans, and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes all contain insoluble fiber.
Magnesium citrate is a powerful natural laxative. Magnesium citrate has been shown to be more bioavailable and better absorbed in the body than other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide ( 40 ). Magnesium citrate increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract, which causes a bowel movement ( 41 ).
The citrus may help stimulate your colon. And some studies show that drinking warm water in the morning can help break down foods. So go ahead and enjoy a warm cup of lemon water in the morning, and continue to sip on water during the day.
For most people constipation rarely causes complications, but people with long-term constipation can develop: haemorrhoids (piles) faecal impaction (where dry, hard stools collect in the rectum) bowel incontinence (the leakage of liquid stools)
“The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one we recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.