Constipation is a common digestive problem that affects many people. Exercise has been shown to be an effective way to alleviate constipation. Here are some benefits of exercising on constipation:
- Speeds up bowel movements: Exercise helps to lower the time it takes food to move through the large intestine, which limits the amount of water your body absorbs from the stool. This makes it easier to pass stools
- Stimulates intestinal muscles: Aerobic exercise speeds up your breathing and heart rate, which helps to stimulate the natural squeezing of muscles in your intestines. This helps to move stools out quickly
- Improves bowel habits: Regular exercise can help to improve bowel habits and prevent constipation. A regular walking plan, even 10 to 15 minutes several times a day, can help the body and digestive system work at their best
- Feasible and effective treatment option: A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials involving 680 participants found that exercise had significant benefits as a means of improving the symptoms of constipation patients
- Safe and natural: Exercise is a safe and natural way to alleviate constipation, unlike laxatives or other medications that may have side effectsIn addition to exercise, other methods to relieve constipation include adding more fiber to the diet, drinking lots of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration that can lead to constipation, and eating certain fruits, vegetables, and seeds that can help relieve constipation by adding bulk, softening stool, decreasing gut transit time, and increasing stool frequency
Regular exercise is another critical factor in improving symptoms of constipation and developing healthy bowel habits