Does Apple Juice Make You Poop

Does apple juice make you poop? Yes or no? There are times we’ve all felt our insides twisting and churning after gulping a healthy amount of apple juice, sending a few of us on a trip to the bathroom. Is it a coincidence or something that’s a natural benefit or side effect? And is it a good or a bad thing? 

Does Apple Juice Make You Poop?

Yes, apple juice provides a very mild laxative effect that will help you poop. This is due to its high ratio of fructose to glucose and sorbitol. Studies have shown that it can help those with chronic constipation.

Why Would Apple Juice Make You Poop?

Apples aren’t just your favorite fruit that’ll “keep the doctor away”. It’s packed with nutrients but they also provide you with a very gentle laxative effect too. It’s often recommended as a remedy for constipation, especially among children. But why?

Contains A Healthy Amount Of Fiber

Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate and is essential for digestive health. It regulates the body’s glucose use, helps manage blood sugar levels, and It also helps you lower “bad”  cholesterol (LDL) But compared to most carbohydrates, most carbs, it passes through the body undigested and does not break down into sugar molecules.

While other fruits and vegetables have a higher fiber content than apples, it still contains a healthy enough amount to prove its effectiveness, even more when you eat the actual fresh fruit as it still contains the pulp. 100 grams of raw apple contain 2.4 grams of fiber, while a serving of apple juice (100 grams) contains only 0.2 grams. So in this case, it’s better to eat apples rather than juice them.

Keeps You Hydrated

The importance of staying hydrated is intimately linked to all of the body’s functions, including how frequently we go. Constipation sometimes happens as a result from dehydration, which is one of the most common causes. . The food you eat makes its way from your stomach to the large intestine, or colon. When a person becomes dehydrated, the large intestine soaks up water from your food waste leaving not enough water to the stools, which then results in them being hard, dry, and lumpy, making it difficult for them to pass.

Drinking plenty of water and other nutritious liquids like apple juice softens the stools and can help cure constipation in a variety of scenarios. Apples are 85 percent water, making it a wonderful method to stay hydrated even without drinking water.

Contains Sorbitol 

Sorbitol is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol often utilized as a sugar substitute in a variety of foods. It’s also used to relieve occasional constipation and irregularity, and generally produces bowel movement in 1/4 to 1 hour when used rectally. It acts by attracting water to the gut, promoting the formation of loose stools for easy passage.

Sorbitol is responsible for the apple’s natural sweetness and is present in high amounts.

High Amounts Of Fructose

Drinking large amounts of apple juice can cause digestive discomfort in people who have sensitive bowels, that’s because apple juice contains a relatively higher quantity of fructose than any other fruit out there. 

Rich In Antioxidants

Apples have been found to be rich in antioxidants like quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid. These inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease lipid oxidation, and lower cholesterol. According to chemists, the Ida Red, Northern Spy, and Red Delicious apples in particular, pack more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other variant.

Apples also contain pectin, a water-soluble fiber that could facilitate bowel movements.

But at times, they add bulk to the stool making it firmer and more difficult to pass, which makes an ideal remedy for bouts of diarrhea.

Packed With Vitamins

Apples are particularly rich in vitamin C.  Apple contains about 4.6 mg (100 grams) of vitamin C per piece, and contains 2.2 mg per 8 ounces when made into juice.  When there is enough vitamin C in the gut, it draws water into your intestines, which helps to soften stools and relieve constipation.

B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin B-6, are present in apples.  These are all essential in maintaining red blood cells and the nervous system strong and healthy.

Apples include vitamin K as well. This vitamin helps to make proteins, which strengthens your bones and encourages normal blood clotting.

Other nutrients like calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, and magnesium are all minerals found in apple juice.

Side Effects Of Drinking Apple Juice

While it has its health benefits, drinking apple juice might cause occasional health problems for some consumers, so it pays to be cautious when taking certain amounts.

Drinking excessive amounts of apple juice, for example, can cause diarrhea. When consumed in excess, the natural sugars present in food can loosen stools and cause diarrhea, and since fructose, a natural sugar,  is present in apples, it’s considered as the culprit behind it.  

Aside from diarrhea, too much apple juice can cause gassiness in consumers who have fructose intolerance. Since there is an absence of the enzymes needed to digest sugars in foods like apples, the carbohydrates aren’t fully absorbed, it results in either flatulence, belching or burping.

Since apple juice is fructose, it might not be good for diabetic persons. The high combination of sugar and fiber in the apple juice can spike up their blood sugar, which then leads to a  blood sugar dip, which increases hunger and food intake and leads to poor blood sugar regulation and weight gain.

How Much Apple Juice Should You Drink?

Consuming apples and drinking apple juice are highly recommended for good health, but that’s not to say you should be consumed all willy-nilly. One should still take caution when taking them. 

When sourcing for apples, make sure to get fresh, locally sourced, organic ones where possible. Also, it’s always better to eat the whole fruit over the juice if you can since it preserves the fiber content and nutrients intact.

For the juice, most physicians and dietitians prescribe only one (1) serving of apple juice a day, which is half a cup of 100 percent apple juice as part of one’s daily fruit intake. Drinking too much might cause diarrhea, especially to those who aren’t accustomed to drinking apple juice. It is recommended that they take smaller amounts per day, and then gradually increase their intake, like a half cup for the first few days, and then a whole cup after a couple of weeks.

How To Make Your Own Apple Juice At Home

Making your own apple juice is very easy. If you can’t find pure apple juice in stores, it’s better to whip one up at home. Make sure to get fresh quality apples follow these steps:

  1. Take an apple and slice it into pieces first before putting it in the blender. No need to peel them, since the fiber and pectin are present in the skin.
  2. Add the chopped slices of apple in the blender and add some water.
  3. Blend the apple slices for a minute or so.
  4. Pour the juice into a glass. Enjoy!

For constipation relief, add a scoop of fennel powder. Fennel can also relax muscles in the intestines, which helps relieve constipation. Drink in the morning for easier and faster pooping.

In the absence of fennel powder, you can add other ingredients like bits of oranges, pomegranates, berries, broccoli, carrots, celery, and ginger since they also provide additional constipation relief and a fruitier taste.

You may also add sweeteners like sugar or honey, but since apples are already naturally sweet, they won’t be necessary.

Final Take

Apples make an excellent addition to your diet as they are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. We recommend consuming whole apples as opposed to apple juice but a small amount of juice isn’t too bad. You should be wary to monitor your intake of apple juice as it does have mild laxative properties that can make you poop more frequently.

It is often recommended for children suffering from constipation as the mildness of the laxative effect is usually enough to get things moving again.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.

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