Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : September 25, 2014 3:03 PM IST
Constipation is a problem that many suffer from but ignore or avoid discussing. Constipation can cause considerable discomfort, but what's great is that small dietary changes are enough to treat the problem. If you have been struggling to pass stools every morning, the one change that you must make is to add some green leafy vegetables to your diet.
Leafy vegetables like spinach (palak), fenugreek (methi), lettuce (salad leaves) and cabbage (gobi) are extremely rich in dietary fibre, making them a superb natural remedy and natural laxative to treat constipation. Studies have shown that both soluble and insoluble fibre play an important role in regulating digestion. Soluble fibre absorbs water from the digestive tract and become viscous and gelatinous in nature, thereby improves stool consistency. They are then acted upon by bacteria thriving in the digestive tract to get fermented. Insoluble fibre adds bulk to the diet and performs the role of cleansing the digestive tract. It kind of sweeps the colon as it moves through the digestive system, allowing normal evacuation of the bowels. However, adding dietary fibre to the diet may onlywork for those with mild to moderate constipation. If you have chronic constipation that is causing other complications it would be better to visit a gastroenterologist and get proper treatment.
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