Onion is a superfood. People include it in their diet in various ways. It is not only used for gravy in vegetables, but even salads seem incomplete without onions. If you often suffer from constipation, then you must include it in your diet.
Onion is known to enhance the taste of every type of dish, but it is also helpful in reducing constipation. While it may seem unusual, onions have long been recommended as an effective cure for stomach problems. My mother also says that onions are an effective home remedy to deal with constipation. So, if you are struggling with constipation and looking for natural remedies, adding onions to your diet can help relieve constipation. Learn the benefits of onion and ways to include it in your diet to reduce discomfort.
When does constipation occur (What is constipation)
Constipation is a common digestion problem in which a person has difficulty emptying their bowels, according to a study published in Stats Pearls. The condition is caused by excessive dryness in the intestines, lack of dietary fiber, lack of good fats, and poor peristalsis. Constipation is a digestive health problem (tips to deal with constipation), and its symptoms include the inability to properly remove waste from the body. Your stools may become dry and hard, which is painful and difficult to pass, and in the long term may also lead to fissures, internal bleeding, and hemorrhoids.
What are the common causes of constipation?
Here are some common causes that can cause constipation, as explained by Ayurvedic doctor Dimple Jangra:
1. Lack of fiber
The main causes include a lack of healthy fiber in the diet and lack of hydration, which makes the intestines dry and can cause constipation symptoms. You get fiber from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and millets. Meat, seafood, and eggs do not contain fiber and can take 72-74 hours to digest, which can cause constipation symptoms.
2.Bad lifestyle
This can also cause constipation, as can eating late dinner, sleeping late and waking up late. According to the Ayurvedic energy clock, the intestines are supposed to be active between 5-7 pm, when we should sit upright, light exercise or physical exercise helps digestion. Eating late also fills the intestines with undigested food from the night, as our digestive fire and metabolic fire are mainly active between sunrise and sunset.
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3. Medications and health conditions
Certain medications, and some antidepressants, can cause constipation as a side effect. Health problems such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, and neurological disorders can also negatively affect bowel function and cause constipation. Stress, anxiety, and depression can also affect our gut health and bowel movements and cause constipation.
These symptoms indicate that you have constipation (Symptoms of constipation)
Constipation is a common digestive problem in which it is difficult to clear the stomach. Although its symptoms may vary from person to person, some symptoms are common. According to the Missouri Medicine Journal published in 2018, the following are the common symptoms of constipation:
- Difficulty in emptying the stomach
- Pain or straining during bowel movements
- Passing stool less than 3 times a week
- Feeling of heaviness in the stomach
- Bleeding from the lower part of the body
- Feeling of discomfort in the lower back
Can onions relieve constipation? (Onion for constipation)
Onions are a natural remedy for constipation as they are high in fibre and healthy nutrients that help with gut health, according to a study published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. Onions are a good source of soluble and insoluble fibre that helps improve digestion. The fibre in onions helps absorb water, which creates fluid inside the intestines. This helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass.
“Onions also contain prebiotics like inulin, which increase good gut bacteria. When the bacteria in our gut are nourished, they support digestion. Onions also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe our digestive system and improve gut health,” explains the doctor.
To get rid of constipation, you can consume onion in these 3 ways (How to add onion to diet to avoid constipation)
There are some simple ways you can include onions in your diet and get relief from constipation, as suggested by experts:
1 salad or raw onion:
Eating raw onions, especially red onions, can be an effective way to promote bowel movement. Raw onions are high in fiber and sulfur, which helps to encourage regular digestion. Add thinly sliced raw onions to salads, sandwiches, or yogurt.
2 Onion in vegetables and dishes:
Although raw onion is more effective, roasted or cooked onions can also be beneficial. Cooking softens the onion and makes it easier to digest. It can be included in a variety of recipes such as soups, stews, stir-fries, and omelets.
3. Onion Juice:
To reap the full benefits of onions, consider drinking onion juice. To make onion juice, blend or juice a few onions. You can drink onion juice straight or dilute it with water to improve its taste.
But onion has some side effects too.
“People who have an imbalanced pitta should avoid consuming onions. Pitta is a type of energy in Ayurveda. When it is imbalanced, it can make you feel hot, angry, and irritable inside. It can also cause stomach or skin problems. If you experience gas, bloating, or stomach discomfort, it may be due to the high fiber and fructan content in onions,” doctors say. In such a case, you should avoid onions.
Avoid onions, especially raw onions, if you are experiencing heartburn. Avoid consuming onions if you are allergic to onions as they can cause health problems or skin rashes. Also, it is advisable to consult your doctor before including onions in your diet to reduce constipation problems.
Also read – Raw onion benefits: Raw onion is a natural cooling agent, consume it in summer for these 4 benefits