Cranberry has largely been regarded as the perfect superfood for various problems that include Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), prevention of various chronic diseases, and so far and so forth. However, recent studies show another potential place where Cranberry juice thrives, and it has something to do with your digestive health.
Yep, as it turns out, a lot of people, especially in the medical world, are keen on studying the connection between cranberry juice and preventing digestive problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, bloating, and more.
Does cranberry juice help with constipation?
There’s a lot that goes into that, but in short, yes it does. The natural salicylate in cranberry juice enriches the good bacteria in the gut, which helps fight harmful gut bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae like E.Coli, which brings in problems like IBS.
This blog post aims to break down the connection between cranberry juice and pooping problems, along with effective alternatives that will cure your constipation and bowel problems for the better. Make sure to read till the end, and find out more!
Table of Contents
An Overview Of Constipation
Constipation is a common condition that affects adults and children of all ages. It's a tricky condition because it can differ from person to person.
Simply put, constipation involves infrequent or difficult bowel movements. It's often caused by lifestyle factors such as low fiber intake, lack of exercise, or not drinking enough water.
Sometimes, it can be caused by certain medications or underlying health conditions.
Understanding the underlying symptoms and how to manage them is key when dealing with constipation. Some of the symptoms include bloating, abdominal discomfort, and straining during bowel movements. Knowing how to combat these symptoms can help alleviate the discomfort that comes with constipation.
Common Causes Of Constipation
Constipation can be a pain in the ass (literally), but the reasons behind it are often quite simple, and easy to fix. That is, as long as there’s no underlying illness that is causing you to be constipated.
Nevertheless, here are a few common reasons why you're constipated on a daily.
Insufficient Fiber In Diet
If you’re constipated on a daily basis, it might be time to take a deeper look into your diet. Specifically, your fiber intake.
A low-fiber diet can lead to a slow-moving digestive system, making it harder for waste to move through your intestines.
This, in turn, can cause constipation. Without enough fiber to add bulk to your stools, they can become hard and difficult to pass.
So, if you're feeling a little backed up, consider adding some high-fiber foods to your diet like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Your gut (and future bathroom breaks) will thank you.
Low Water Intake
When we don't drink enough water, our bodies start to pull water from other sources, like our stools. This can cause our stool to become harder to pass, leading to constipation.
Plus, if you're dehydrated, your colon can actually absorb more water from the stool, making it even harder to pass.
Make sure to drink more than 8 glasses of water on a daily basis, and don’t just rely on water. Incorporate a variety of fruit juices to get those electrolytes and vitamins in, and make the best of your gut health.
Low Exercise
We all know that exercise is important for our physical health, but did you know that it can also affect our digestive system?
Constipation, which is a common and uncomfortable condition, can be caused by a lack of physical activity.
Take it as this. If you’re not moving your body regularly, even if it’s just walking, the digestive system doesn't function as effectively as it should, which can lead to constipation.
This is why physical activity helps to stimulate the muscles in our intestines, which push food and waste through our digestive system.
The best part about it all is that it doesn’t even have to be some rigorous exercise routine. Just a few morning stretches, or maybe a jog around the park, and you’re good to go!
Health Benefits Of Cranberry Juice
Besides just cranberry juice being effective for your gut health, there are a lot of other health benefits associated with this fruit juice, and we’ve broken these down for you to give you an overview.
A Vitamin Powerhouse
Did you know that cranberry juice is a powerhouse of vitamins? Specifically, it's rich in two essential vitamins - vitamin C and vitamin E.
Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties, keeping the common cold at bay and improving your skin and digestive health. On the other hand, vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects your skin from damage and slows down the aging process.
So, if you're looking for a drink that can help you get your vitamins, look no further than cranberry juice - it's honestly a super drink!
Prevents UTI
Studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis can help prevent UTIs. But how does it work?
Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract.
So, instead of bacteria setting up shop and causing an infection, they get flushed out when you pee. Plus, cranberry juice is a tasty way to stay hydrated, which is crucial for urinary tract health.
High In Antioxidants
Antioxidants perform a lot of different functions in the body, but to keep it short, we'll focus on the most important one: protecting the body from the damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals can wreak havoc on your body, causing chronic health problems like heart disease, inflammation, cataracts, and cancer. Learn how to protect yourself from their harmful effects.
In that context, the antioxidant-rich cranberry juice can help prevent free radicals from damaging the body. In fact, this research has indicated that cranberry juice can help prevent cancer due to the dietary changes it brings to the body.
Does Cranberry Juice Make You Poop?
We've been talking about how cranberry juice is quite effective if you want to relieve constipation, but how good is it at making you poop?
The answer may surprise you.
While cranberry juice is not a direct laxative, it does contain organic compounds that can irritate the lower bowel to encourage more regular bowel movements.
However, when it comes to drinking cranberry juice, it's important to know that moderation is the key. Drinking too much cranberry juice can lead to a lot of different problems, the most recurring of which are gastrointestinal distress, which can range from bloating to severe diarrhea.
Alternatives To Cranberry Juice For Constipation Relief
Don’t like this fruit juice, but still want to get rid of your constipation problems?
Lucky for you, cranberry juice isn’t the only constipation relief that you need to be looking out for. That’s why we’ve listed some of the best alternatives to this fruit juice that will get your bowels running in no time.
Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics are live bacterial cultures that promote the healthy balance of gut bacteria, which plays a crucial role in digestive health.
When your gut bacteria is imbalanced, it can lead to a range of issues, including constipation, bloating, IBS, and others. By taking probiotic supplements, you can introduce more good bacteria into your gut, which can help improve digestion and relieve constipation.
Though, we recommend not just relying on probiotic supplements, and making certain lifestyle and dietary changes that increase your fiber and water intake, so your body can better manage against digestive distress issues that come along every once in a while.
Apple Juice
As it turns out, the high amount of fiber and sorbitol found in apples can work wonders for bowel movements.
Sorbitol is a natural laxative that helps water move through the digestive system and soften stool, making it easier to pass. Plus, the fiber in apple juice adds bulk to stool and prevents further constipation.
Check out this extensive guide on how apple juice can be great for relieving constipation, and why you should be adding this fruit juice to your everyday diet.
Prune Juice
Yes, we know. It's the same stuff that Grandma used to drink back in the day, but she was right all along. Prune juice is a natural laxative that works by softening stool and helping it pass through the intestines more easily.
And like apple juice, it also contains fiber, sorbitol, and natural sugars that can help regulate bowel movements. So, if you're feeling a little backed up, head to your local grocery store and stock up on some prune juice. Your bowels will thank you.
Bottom Line
If you've been wondering whether or not cranberry juice can be the answer to all your bowel problems, it might just be. However, like always, we recommend visiting the doctors, as more times than often, constipation rises as a side effect of some underlying illness that people have no idea about.
Additionally, make sure to take cranberry juice in moderation, and only take it once or twice a day, preferably right after breakfast.
Make sure to check out our probiotic supplements that have the best effect on problems like IBS and constipation, and check out similar guides where we break down these digestive distress problems, and give you easy cures for them.