18 Foods That Work as Natural Laxatives

17. Psyllium

Another type of fiber that has powerful laxative effects is psyllium. It comes from the plant genus Plantago and, luckily for us, it contains both insoluble and soluble fiber. Psyllium is commonly used as a treatment for alleviating constipation; however, if you’re not familiar with it, there are several things you should know.

First of all, the soluble fiber found in psyllium works by forming a gel that can soften stool, making it a lot easier to poop. Secondly, it has been proved that psyllium is, in fact, more effective than several OTC stimulant laxatives.


However, the bad thing is that you may have to wait a little bit. Psyllium effects may kick in after two or three days, but it’s definitely worth the wait.

18. Water

Are you drinking plenty of liquids? Because if you know yourself as being forgetful when it comes to drinking water, this might be the root cause of your constipation problem.

Consuming fluids is crucial for keeping your body hydrated, as well as preventing constipation. Many studies have shown that staying hydrated can relieve constipation by enhancing the consistency of stool.


Plus, water can also maximize the effects of other natural laxatives such as fiber.

In a recent study, 117 patients with chronic constipation were advised to follow a high-fiber diet. Additionally, nearly half of the patients were asked to drink at least 2 liters of water daily. After only two months, both groups have seen improvements in stool frequency, but those instructed to drink 2 liters of water have experienced better results.

You might also like:

• 10 Food Staples Every Well-Stocked Kitchen Has
• Ready to Eat Your Water? Here Are 18 Super Hydrating Foods
• 30 Common Foods Your Doctors Will Avoid – and You Should Too!