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Prunes and prune juice are great options for relieving constipation. They help your body function in a variety of ways and can even prevent the onset of certain conditions.

If you’re constipated or just having trouble with regular bowel movements, it may be time to look for a method to ease your digestion.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of adding prunes, now called “dried plums,” to your diet.

Constipation is a condition that affects your gastrointestinal system, making it difficult to have a bowel movement. Everyone’s regular bowel movements vary, but if you haven’t passed stool in two or three days, you may be constipated.

There are a number of reasons you may be constipated. These include:

Constipation can be treated with a variety of methods. Adding exercise to your lifestyle, drinking more water, and allowing yourself plenty of time in the bathroom may help.

Stimulating the gastrointestinal system may take some planning on your part. Adding a laxative to your diet may be necessary to relieve constipation. Over-the-counter medications and natural remedies can also help. You can also consider stool softeners, fiber products containing psyllium, and foods high in fiber when you are feeling constipated. Check out this list of 22 high-fiber foods.

Shop for laxatives and stool softeners.

Prunes are also a great option.

Eating prunes, or dried plums, can alleviate constipation. According to a study in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, dried plums and their derivatives, such as prune juice, can prevent constipation and may prevent colon cancer. The nutrients found in prunes may also help control obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Research also shows that using prunes and prune juice can be more effective than other constipation-relieving methods. One study in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics states that prunes work even better than medications containing psyllium. Another study says that prunes should be used as a first-line therapy for constipation.

Dried plums are considered to be very good for your overall health. Prune juice is filtered, so it doesn’t have the high fiber content of dried prunes. Still, both are laxatives because of their high sorbitol content. Dried plums also contain:

Prune juice is an effective remedy for constipation in both children and adults. When giving prune juice to an infant, the Mayo Clinic recommends trying 2 to 4 ounces at a time and adjusting the amount as needed. For adults, drink 4 to 8 ounces of prune juice each morning to stimulate a bowel movement.

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Just remember that more isn’t always better. Adding more fiber doesn’t always help stimulate a bowel movement. Extra fiber can make you feel worse if you’re dehydrated. It’s important to only stick with one serving, or six dried plums, per day.

If you experience chronic constipation, or if eating prunes and drinking prune juice doesn’t solve your problems, contact your doctor for professional advice. Also, make sure to talk to your doctor if you begin to experience:

Want more information about the health benefits of prunes? Click here for 11 other benefits of prunes and prune juice.