Diet gun

Constipation is a bowel dysfunction and includes one or more of the following, defecation up to 2 times a week, difficulty in defecation, small amount of stool, hard stool.

Constipation can occur in the following diseases: endocrine and metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Hirschsprung’s disease, spinal cord injuries, cerebrovascular disease, connective tissue diseases, neoplastic syndromes.

Most disorders caused by these diseases are mainly functional or mechanical disorders and are accompanied by slowed bowel movement leading to constipation.

Functional constipation is also reversible with proper nutrition and is caused by little or no intake of foods rich in fiber that help in smooth bowel movements. Adding fruits, vegetables and cereals to our daily diet adds the necessary non-absorbable fiber to the stool, resulting in regular bowel movements.

The following foods in large quantities and frequently can cause or worsen existing constipation:

1. Milk and cheese

Milk and cheese contain lactose and beta-casein which lead to gas production resulting in constipation.

2. Red meat

Frequent consumption of red meat can slow down digestion due to the fat it contains and its proteins, which are difficult to digest.

3. Eggs

Eggs are a food without fiber and rich in fat and slow down digestion.

Boiled eggs have been observed to cause more constipation than fried eggs or if they are made into an omelette because cooking makes their protein more digestible and assimilable (faster access of digestive enzymes to its protein bonds).

4. Bread

Bread contains gluten and can cause constipation, especially if there is an intolerance to this substance. White bread also contains a small amount of fiber, which can cause greater aggravation.

5. Rice

Boil white rice as a soup is used to stop diarrhea, so it worsens constipation, while its frequent intake will cause constipation.

6. Banana

Bananas contain a large amount of starch, which worsens constipation.

7. Fast food (French fries, pizza, hamburgers, etc.).

They contain almost zero fiber and a large amount of fat that slows down digestion.

8. Sugar

Sweets (such as lollipops, cakes, cookies, biscuits, etc.) contain a lot of fat and little fiber.

9. Pre-cooked and frozen foods

These foods, in addition to the absence of fiber due to their preparation method, contain a lot of fat, preservatives and salt that slow down digestion and worsen constipation.

If we do not have any of the diseases we mentioned and we do not take medication (e.g. diuretics, opioids, antipsychotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticholinergics, antiepileptics) that can cause constipation, we follow a balanced diet that contains sources of fiber such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, then the careful intake of all the foods we mentioned will make absolutely no noticeable difference in our daily bowel habits.