Prostate Restored
Photo by Castorly Stock Pexels Logo Photo: Castorly Stock

Is dark chocolate a laxative or constipation?

While chocolate is constipating to some people, cocoa or components of it might actually help with constipation in other people.

Does water wash away sugar in your body?
Does water wash away sugar in your body?

When your blood sugar levels are running high, your body will try to flush excess sugar out of your blood through the urine. As a result, your body...

Read More »
Can low iron cause GREY hair?
Can low iron cause GREY hair?

Iron deficiency can also lead to grey hair. Iron is a vital mineral that helps create haemoglobin – the substance found in RBCs. Lacking an...

Read More »

Few foods are as beloved as chocolate. We give it to our sweethearts on Valentine’s Day and bake morsels of it into cookies. As much as people love chocolate, some people attribute one affliction to it. Many people say that chocolate makes them constipated. In fact, when researchers in 2005 asked a group of people with chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which foods triggered their symptoms, most of them named chocolate as a culprit. Is it true? Could this sweet treat cause such an unpleasant side effect? Or does the perception differ from the reality? Here’s a look at the link between chocolate and constipation. Share on Pinterest Professor25/Getty Images What is constipation? Constipation occurs when you don’t have as many bowel movements as usual. It’s technically defined as having less than three bowel movements per week. People who are constipated produce hard, dry stools that are slower to move through the intestines. Although constipation isn’t life threatening, it can be uncomfortable. Along with abdominal discomfort and bloating, you can develop hemorrhoids and tears in your anus if you’re constipated for a long time. What causes constipation? Constipation often stems from problems with your diet. Fiber and water make stools softer and easier to pass. If you don’t get enough fiber or water in your diet, you could become constipated. Some medications can cause constipation as a side effect. These medications include: antacids

antiseizure medications

blood pressure medications

iron supplements

medications for Parkinson’s disease

narcotic pain relievers

some antidepressants Constipation can also stem from one of these health conditions: diabetes

Parkinson’s disease

stroke

other diseases that affect your brain or spine

spinal cord injuries

tumors in the intestines

an underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism Sometimes, constipation is a temporary result of a life change. Many people develop constipation during pregnancy due to changing hormone levels. Some people only get constipated when they travel. As you age, movement in your intestines slows, and you’re more likely to become constipated. How does chocolate affect constipation? Studies haven’t confirmed that chocolate causes constipation, although some people claim they have more trouble going to the bathroom after eating it. It may not be the cocoa that’s to blame. Constipation could be the result of other ingredients in the chocolate. For example, chocolate bars and cakes contain milk, which some people find constipating. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration. A lack of water in your intestines makes stools dry and harder to pass. Chocolate-filled foods are typically high in sugar, which can also be tough on your bowels. Sugar often replaces healthier, high fiber foods in your diet that keep your bowels moving regularly. How does chocolate affect different groups of people? Your body’s response to chocolate may depend on what other conditions you have. For example, chocolate can trigger constipation in people with IBS. About 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Why chocolate might contribute to constipation in people with IBS isn’t clear. While chocolate is constipating to some people, cocoa or components of it might actually help with constipation in other people. In a 2006 study , researchersgave cocoa husks, which are the outsides of the cocoa beans that are discarded during chocolate production, to chronically constipated children. The husks, which are high in fiber, helped the children go to the bathroom more often and made it easier to do so. Read more: IBS home remedies that work.

What foods are high in beta-sitosterol?
What foods are high in beta-sitosterol?

10 Foods To Eat Containing Beta-Sitosterol Avocados. Avocados are known as an ideal source of healthy fats. ... Hazelnuts. Hazelnuts are another...

Read More »
What happens when you drink olive oil every morning?
What happens when you drink olive oil every morning?

Olive oil is a healthy fat that contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Drinking it regularly may benefit your heart, bone, and digestive health and...

Read More »

How much chocolate can you eat without getting constipated? Whether you should eat chocolate and how frequently you should eat it depends on how it affects you. If chocolate doesn’t seem to cause constipation, there’s no reason to stop eating it. You should eat chocolate in moderation because it’s high in fat and calories, though. If chocolate seems to make you constipated, try eliminating it from your diet and see if that helps. Once you feel better, you can slowly reintroduce chocolate a little at a time and see if you develop constipation again. When will constipation clear up? If your constipation is directly due to chocolate, it should clear up as soon as you remove cocoa-containing foods from your diet. However, if you stop eating chocolate and your constipation continues, something else may be triggering the condition. You may need to eliminate other foods to find the source, or see your doctor for advice.

Can onion control diabetes?
Can onion control diabetes?

Is Onion Good For Diabetes? YES, onions are good for diabetes. It is a low-carb and low-calorie vegetable, rich in vitamins, minerals, and sulfur...

Read More »
What can inflame prostate?
What can inflame prostate?

Risk factors for prostatitis include: Young or middle-aged adulthood. Previous prostatitis. Infection of the urinary or reproductive system. HIV...

Read More »
What happens if you ignore prostate cancer?
What happens if you ignore prostate cancer?

Most cases of diagnosed prostate cancer, however, if left untreated, will grow and possibly spread outside of the prostate to local tissues or...

Read More »
What foods make your core stronger?
What foods make your core stronger?

Top foods to include in a diet for abs lean meats, including beef, pork, and lamb. fish, especially fatty fish, such as salmon, which are high in...

Read More »