How constipation happens 

No matter your age, constipation can affect any of us at any point in our lives. This common occurrence is a problem for kids and adults alike and in most cases, general difficulties can be treated with changes in diet and lifestyle.

Our digestive system is like a machine that catches what we eat and breaks it down, so our bodies are able to absorb the necessary nutrients – this is called digestion. In this process we encounter waste particles, which change into a stool, then excreted from the body during a bowel movement.

In this same process, there are times when the machine (digestive system) slightly malfunctions, and that leads to constipation. This happens because the colon absorbs too much water from waste, which dries out the stool and that makes it difficult to excrete.

The feeling of constipation

Constipation affects the gastro system, making it difficult to have a bowel movement. For kids and adults, bowel movements vary, but you will start feeling abdominal pain or discomfort if you haven’t passed a stool in two or three days and this could very likely be constipation.

These are the first signs of a problem:

• Strain on bowel movement
• Feeling as if the complete stool hasn’t passed
• Passing less than 3 stools per week
• Feeling a blockage within your rectum

It’s important that these signs and feelings are not ignored since it will become more difficult to carry out daily activities with ease.

Fiber is the key to good gut health

Consciously adding fiber to our diets makes all the difference in helping us stay regular. The release of fiber into our bodies helps keep us filled, stabilises blood sugar levels, and is ultimately vital for good heart health. The realisation is that most of us aren’t getting the optimal amount of fiber our bodies need.

Babies and kids need fiber too and these are ways you can make sure they get their daily fill:

• Add more fruits and veg to their daily meals
• Avoid peeling all fresh produce
• More beans, please
• Experiment with making meals with grains

Basically, nobody wants to feel the discomfort of constipation and by adding more fiber to your everyday diet, can easily regulate your digestion, improve balance of good gut bacteria, and helps reduce risk of various diseases.

Many foods have natural laxative properties and some of these include apples, broccoli, figs, oatmeal, pears, apricots, spinach and prunes.

The power of prunes

Prunes take the prize for being the KING of natural laxatives because they’re:

• High in fiber
• Helpers in relieving constipation
• Rich in antioxidants (limit damage caused by free radicals)
• Filled with essential vitamins and minerals
• A good source of Vitamin A (which also has antioxidant activity)

Sunraysia Prune Extract is made from 100% specially selected Californian prunes, which contribute to a well-balanced healthy diet and naturally contain important nutrients for good gut health.

This magic in a jar contains everything that is good for your health PLUS keeps you regular:

Potassium – to regulate the heartbeat, while making sure that nerves and muscles are functioning healthily

Great source of fiber – contains 15% Sorbitol, which has a slow metabolic release assisting in keeping you regular

Vitamin K – assists in keeping bones healthy and has 4% Quinic Acid

Mighty Magnesium – necessary for better nerve and muscle function as well as good bone structure