Short Answer: Cherry juice is good for constipation. Because it has sorbitol and anthocyanins and they can soften the stool and reduce inflammation.
Constipation is a condition that affects your large intestine or colon.
In constipation, your body absorbs too much water from the stool, making it hard, dry and difficult to pass.
This can lead to various health problems, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fecal impaction, and diverticular disease.
One of the key factors in managing constipation is diet.
What you consume can affect your bowel movements, which can impact your constipation symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage constipation, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and avoid low-fiber foods like meat, cheese, and processed foods.
Now, cherry juice is a tart and sour fruit juice that is made from cherries, usually a variety called Montmorency.
People usually drink cherry juice for its health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and fighting infections.
Cherry juice is good for constipation because it contains sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that has a laxative effect.
Sorbitol can draw water into the colon and stimulate bowel movements.
Cherry juice also contains antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, that can protect the colon from oxidative stress and inflammation.
One cup of cherry juice can give you about 9 grams of sorbitol, which is about 18% of your daily needs, and 12 milligrams of anthocyanins, which is about 24% of your daily needs.
Sorbitol can positively affect constipation by softening the stool and increasing its frequency and volume.
However, too much sorbitol can cause diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Anthocyanins can positively affect constipation by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon, which can impair its function and motility.
However, too much anthocyanins can interfere with some medications, such as blood thinners and antibiotics.
Furthermore, cherry juice is a liquid and liquids are good for constipation.
Because, they can help hydrate the body and prevent dehydration, which is a common cause of constipation.
You can drink one to two cups of cherry juice per day safely.
More than that can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Also, you shouldn’t drink cherry juice if you have diabetes or fructose intolerance to prevent high blood sugar and abdominal pain.
Because, cherry juice contains fructose, another natural sugar that can raise blood glucose levels and cause malabsorption.
You can buy fresh cherries in your local market or can order cherry juice from online.
Always choose 100% pure cherry juice with no added sweeteners or preservatives.
Because, they can affect the quality and nutritional value of the juice.
You can store cherry juice in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing constipation effectively.
I always recommend my constipation patients to follow a constipation-friendly diet to improve their bowel health and enjoy a longer and healthier life.