A good option for those who suffer from constipation is to drink a glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed on an empty stomach, as this helps with the intestinal emptying reflex by irritating the intestinal mucosa and stimulating the peristaltic movement that generates the urge to poop.
Furthermore, water with lemon helps eliminate toxins that accumulate due to the presence of feces for a long time in the intestine, preventing them from being absorbed by the small blood vessels present in the intestine and returning to the blood, contaminating the body.
If you prefer, you can prepare lemon tea by placing half a squeezed lemon in a cup of hot water and then adding the fruit peel, letting it rest for a few minutes. Take it when it is warm, without sweetening.
See the video below for other ways to use lemon to combat constipation:
How to combat constipation
To enhance this home treatment for constipation, the most important thing is to consume more fiber because it will increase the fecal volume and consume more water so that the feces can pass through the intestine more easily, therefore, you must:
- Regularly consume foods rich in fiber, such as leafy vegetables and add fiber such as ground flaxseed, wheat bran to juice, smoothies, soup, beans or meat, consuming this at every meal of the day;
- Practice some type of physical activity, such as dancing, walking or cycling, because physical activity also helps to empty the intestine;
- Eat foods that loosen the intestines, such as yogurt mixed with papaya;
- Drink 2 liters of water a day, or tea or natural fruit juice, but not strained;
- Eat unpeeled fruit every day;
If these tips are not enough to improve bowel function, it is recommended that a gastroenterologist be consulted so that other strategies can be recommended that promote bowel movements and promote the elimination of feces. See more tips on what to do to combat constipation.
What causes constipation
Constipation is when a person goes more than 3 days without pooping and when they do, it is very dry, comes out in small balls and hurts the anal region when they pass, and can even cause bleeding, hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
The main cause of constipation is ingesting too little fiber on a daily basis, so those who are used to eating only rice, beans, meat, bread, butter and coffee have a high chance of having very hard and dry stools, resulting in the swollen belly.
Those who do not drink enough water to quench their thirst and meet the body’s needs are also more likely to suffer from constipation. Even if a person eats a lot of fiber every day, if they don’t drink enough water, the fecal matter will not slide through the intestine and will accumulate.
Furthermore, sedentary people who do not practice any type of physical activity daily are also more likely to have constipation. Other less common causes of constipation include diseases and obstructions in the intestine, which are serious conditions and require medical evaluation. Learn about other causes of constipation.
