Consuming the proper meals might help you poop. Have flax seeds to get reduction from constipation, which is an issue with passing stool.
Flax seeds, the small, oval-shaped seeds with a tough, shiny shell, have been within the highlight for some time. Due to their well being advantages, they’ve turn out to be part of many individuals’s diets. The seeds that come from the flax plant Linum usitatissimum are loaded with fibre, which can assist with weight administration and eliminating constipation. You may roast them or have them with heat water. Sure, having flax seeds can present reduction from constipation, however make certain to not have them in extra. Though they arrive beneath the “superfoods” class, there could also be uncomfortable side effects of consuming them.
Flax seeds for constipation: How do they assist to get reduction?
One of many advantages of flax seeds is that they might help to do away with constipation, which happens once you poop much less often and stools turn out to be exhausting and troublesome to move. Throughout a examine, printed in Vitamin & Metabolism, it was discovered that consumption of 10 grams of flax seeds baked in cookies every day for 12 weeks helped in bettering constipation signs. One other examine, printed within the Journal Of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, discovered that flax seeds might enhance bowel actions in aged individuals with power constipation. The superfood might function an efficient weight loss plan complement in constipation administration.

Right here’s how the superfood might assist individuals with constipation:
1. Excessive fibre
They assist relieve constipation primarily due to their excessive fibre content material. “Every tablespoon of complete flax seeds supplies almost 2.8 grams of dietary fibre, with a wholesome mix of soluble and insoluble fibre,” says dietitian Varsha Gorey. Insoluble fibre is understood for including bulk to poop by absorbing water and growing the quantity of waste materials within the gut. “This bulk triggers the intestinal partitions to contract and push the stool ahead extra effectively,” says the skilled. Alternatively, soluble fibre dissolves in water to type a gel-like substance that softens the stool, making it simpler to move with out straining.
2. Mucilage content material
The seeds have mucilage properties, which impression bowel perform. “Mucilage is a polysaccharide compound that absorbs water and creates a slippery texture when soaked. This mucilage types a coating across the stool, decreasing friction and easing its passage by the colon,” explains the skilled.
3. Keep a wholesome intestine microbiome
These seeds assist preserve a wholesome intestine microbiome; their prebiotic properties feed useful intestine micro organism, which in flip assist common digestion and formation of stool. “For individuals affected by power constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation predominance, these seeds act as a mild, pure bulk-forming laxative that doesn’t result in dependency or weaken bowel tone,” says Gorey.
Flax seeds for constipation: How a lot to take?
Two or three servings of flax seeds and fluids might be consumed each day, based on the UK’s Nationwide Well being Service. You may take 10 to fifteen grams of flax seeds (between 1 to 2 tablespoons) with 150 ml of liquid like water or milk. “This amount supplies sufficient fibre to stimulate common bowel actions whereas being protected for every day consumption,” says Gorey. It’s necessary to start out regularly, ideally with 1 tablespoon in a day, particularly in case you are not used to having meals excessive in fibre.
Additionally, have the seeds with ample water, ideally no less than 2 to 2.5 liters of water per day, because the fibre content material absorbs water within the intestine. “In case you take flax seeds with out satisfactory hydration, it could really worsen constipation by hardening the stool,” says the skilled. Floor flax seeds (versus complete) are higher absorbed by the physique and more practical for constipation reduction as a result of the powerful outer shell of complete flax seeds can move by the digestive tract undigested.
Easy methods to use flax seeds for constipation?
Flax seeds can be utilized within the following methods to ease constipation:
- The simplest method to make use of flax seeds is to devour floor flaxseed powder blended in heat water. You may roast and grind flax seeds right into a superb powder and stir 1 tablespoon of the superfood right into a glass of heat water to drink on an empty abdomen every morning. “This kickstarts digestion and supplies a bulk-forming laxative impact,” says the skilled.
- You may put together flax seed laddoos utilizing roasted flax seed powder, jaggery, and ghee (clarified butter). It’s a scrumptious and nutritious snack wealthy in fibre and wholesome fat.
- Have flax seed chutney powder, which might be added to dosa, idli, or rice, making it simple to include into every day meals.
- Flax seed water is a wonderful choice to get reduction from constipation. Merely soak 1 tablespoon of complete flax seeds in a cup of water in a single day. By morning, the water turns into thick and mucilaginous, so ingesting this gel-like water helps coat the intestinal lining and promotes clean bowel actions.
- Floor ones might be simply added to breakfast dishes like oats and smoothies. This integrates fibre into the primary meal of the day, which helps regulate the digestive tract.

What are the uncomfortable side effects of getting flax seeds for constipation?
They’re usually protected and useful, however consuming them in extra or with out satisfactory water can result in uncomfortable side effects:
- You could expertise gastrointestinal uncomfortable side effects, together with bloating, flatulence, and belly cramps, notably in the event you enhance fibre consumption too quickly. If not accompanied by sufficient fluids like water or juice, the fibre in these seeds may cause the stool to harden and result in a worsening of constipation.
- Overconsumption may also end in free stools or diarrhea in some people, notably when the physique isn’t accustomed to high-fibre meals.
- They comprise lignans, which have weak estrogenic results. “Whereas that is useful for a lot of, individuals with hormone-sensitive situations comparable to breast or ovarian cancers ought to seek the advice of a physician earlier than repeatedly consuming them,” says the skilled.
- Not often, some individuals might expertise allergic reactions to those wholesome seeds, together with itching and rashes.
- These seeds might intervene with the absorption of medicines, together with blood thinners and thyroid medication, as a consequence of their mucilage content material and fibre. “It’s higher to take drugs no less than 1 to 2 hours other than flax seed consumption to keep away from interference,” says the skilled.
Constipation makes it exhausting to poop, which may trigger a whole lot of discomfort. Consuming flax seeds can present some reduction. Nonetheless, you will need to begin with a small quantity to keep away from uncomfortable side effects like belly cramps and bloating.
Associated FAQs
Are you able to drink flax seed water every day?
Sure, ingesting flax seed water every day is mostly protected and useful. A every day glass of flax seed water (made with 1 tablespoon of complete seeds soaked in a single day in 1 cup of water) might be notably efficient for individuals coping with delicate constipation, exhausting stools, or post-operative bowel sluggishness.
When to eat flax seeds, morning or night time?
The perfect time to devour flax seeds is determined by your well being aim, however for constipation reduction, morning consumption is usually more practical. Taking flax seed water or floor flax seeds blended in heat water on an empty abdomen might help stimulate the gastrocolic reflex, selling a morning bowel motion.