Expert verifies remedy that promises to make ‘bowel movements easier’

If you are our regular reader, you must have read the many stories we have written on remedies and hacks to relieve constipation, a common digestive issue. Adding to the list, here’s one by Ayurvedic practitioner Dr Shri Vidhya Prashanth. According to her, black raisins boiled in milk can offer quick relief.

Black raisins are a powerhouse of sugars (glucose and fructose), vitamins (ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine), dietary fibers, minerals (zinc, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium), and phytochemicals like flavonoids, resveratrol, epicatechins, phytoestrogens, and hydroxycinnamic acids. According to Dr Shri Vidhya, they also contain dietary fibre that helps absorb natural fluids in the body. “This adds volume to the food moving down the intestinal tract resulting in regular bowel movements and relief from constipation in adults. Its fibre content further helps in eliminating harmful toxins from the body. Black raisins are also beneficial in improving colon function,” said Dr Shri Vidhya.

She added, “Black raisins contain a type of sugar alcohol known as sorbitol, which can help to soften the stool naturally. This makes bowel movements easier.”

Here’s how to prepare the decoction

Ingredients

10-15 – Black raisins
1 glass – Milk

Method

*Boil a glass of milk in a saucepan, add the black raisins, and boil again. Turn off the flame and drink while it is warm.

Why causes constipation?

Dr Arun Vaidya, gastroenterologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai said constipation is a common condition faced by people across all age groups. “The various factors contributing to constipation include unhealthy dietary choices, dehydration, restricted mobility, lifestyle, certain medications, and diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and intestinal obstruction,” said Dr Vaidya.

Regularly eating unhealthy, processed, packaged, and junk food that contains additives, artificial sweeteners, excessive amounts of sodium, added sugar, and preservatives can take a toll on your digestive health causing constipation.

Does this remedy work?

It is important to note that raisins are rich in fiber. “Eating raisins in large quantities can cause digestive problems like gas, fullness, and bloating due to excessive fibre intake. Raisins cause bloating and abdominal pain in people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is commonly accompanied by constipation,” said Dr Vaidya.

How are black raisins good for you? (Source: Freepik)

According to Dr Vaidya, it can also encourage other health concerns like sudden weight gain (they are high in calories), diabetes (it contains sugar), and allergies like rashes, itching, and redness in some people. “There’s not enough evidence or research to back up the effectiveness of drinking black raisins in boiled milk for constipation relief,” said Dr Vaidya.

What should you do then?

Make sure to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water a day to maintain hydration and promote digestion.

Engaging in physical activities like swimming, jogging, running, meditation, cardio, or hitting the gym for more than 45 minutes a day, along with a proper diet, can help combat constipation, shared Dr Vaidya.

 

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“Consult experts to obtain insight into your digestive health for tailored treatment in finding relief from constipation. Do not blindly trust the hacks you see online. Before trying these hacks make sure to verify their authenticity to avoid further complications,” said Dr Vaidya.

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