AttaluriA, et al. (2011). Randomised clinical trial: Dried plums (prunes) vs. psylliumfor constipation. DOI: If you’re having trouble pooping, know that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 16% of the world’s adult population — or about 1 out of 6 people — knows the discomfort of constipation. The issue typically becomes worse with age, too. The 2010 EU costs of osteoporosis, including 5% from pharmacological intervention, were estimated at €37 billion (IOF 2015)."

Hooshmand S, Brisco JRY, Arjmandi BH (2014) The effect of dried plum on serum levels of receptor activator of NF-kB ligand, osteoprotegerin and sclerostin in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 112; 55-60. Start slow,” advises Dr. Garg. “It’s best to start with just a few prunes or a small drink and see how it goes.” Together, these ingredients may have a laxative effect, increasing fibre intake and improving gut function.

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Summer-time. The living should be easy. For people with IBS Constipation, that may not be the case. Produced with IBS Network UK, our booklet, ‘ Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Constipation’ has lots of dietary tips and recipes. Like our super-flexible Bean Salad recipe. Use your favourite salad leaves, as a base. Top with a can of mixed beans. And then add chopped veggies for a multi-coloured, multi-textured meal. Easy! Families that play together stay together. And, on the International Day of Friendship which is this Sunday, July 30th, the same can be said of friends. If that isn’t enough to get you reaching for the prunes, they contain further beneficial nutrients. Prunes are a source of vitamin B6, which helps make healthy blood cells in our bone marrow and maintain normal hormone levels including those involved in bone health. Additionally, prunes are high in potassium, which helps your muscles work normally, and without our muscles we would not be able to move our bones. Prunes are a source of copper, which helps support normal iron transport in the body, helps maintain normal connective tissues (a structural part of bones), and plays a role in protecting cells within the body from oxidative damage. The human body is very complex with cells working together and separately to perform all our vital body processes and help us go about our daily lives. Our contribution to this is consuming a balanced and varied diet with adequate amounts of all essential nutrients, necessary for optimal body functions.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight fiber and potassium as two nutrients of concern that Americans need to eat more often. Prune juice is a good source of both fiber and potassium. With the digestive-friendly ingredients of fiber, sorbitol, potassium and magnesium, Sunsweet Amaz!n Prune Juice is a natural fit for a healthy lifestyle. Rodriguez, C. J., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Jin, Z., Goff Jr., D. C., & Jacobs Jr., D. R. (2011, September). Association of sodium and potassium intake with left ventricular mass: Coronary artery risk development in young adults [Abstract]. Hypertension, 58(3), 410–416 These days, life is busy! The weeks – and sometimes even the months – can slip by without us having had the opportunity to spend any quality time with our friends and family. However, the summer holidays – with their promise of longer, sunnier days - can be a wonderful chance for a catch up. This year, why not tune out of what the media – and everybody else - tells you about the perfect, family Christmas? You might just be able to conjure up a Christmas – with much less pressure, that suits your family down to the ground. Also, read our tips on keeping the whole family moving, even when the TV and choccies call! Position of the American Dietetic Association: Health Implications of Dietary Fiber, J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108:1716-1731.

For many of us, holidays can mean:

If you’re trying prune juice for the first time, the general recommendation is for adults to start with a half-cup (4-ounce) serving in the morning. (Research shows that drinking as little as 2 ounces of prune juice a day can increase bowel movements.) Another way to make prune juice more palatable is to combine it with a fruit juice you like. “I really like prune and orange juice together, or even prune and apple juice or cranberry juice,” Bonci says. She adds that something to be aware of is that both apple juice and prune juice contain sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), so the combination may be a bit too much for the gut to handle at first. Again, start small. 5. Incorporate it into dressings. Sweet and scrumptious with delicious accents of warming ginger and zingy lime, the whole family are sure to love our Pumpkin Soup with Prunes. Rustle up a pot before heading out for an afternoon stroll. You'll return to a home filled with the comforting aroma of Autumn. Hearty, tasty and full of healthy vegetables and fruit, serve this soup with our gluten free focaccia. It's what Autumn is all about. This soup keeps well, too, so make plenty! Ahmed, T., Sadia, H., Khalid, A., Batool, S., & Janjua, A. (2010, October). Report: Prunes and liver function: A clinical trial [Abstract]. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(4), 463–466 Many people report feeling bloated and sluggish after a particularly gluten rich meal, leading them to make a lifestyle choice of avoiding the protein wherever possible. Experts now believe that mild symptoms, like these, could be due to a sensitivity to gluten. The British Medical Journal does warn against self-diagnosis, though, because such symptoms could be down to something more serious, like coeliac disease. Coeliac Disease

The way prune juice relieves constipation isn’t some magical cause-and-effect, either. It’s biological science. Stool weight and regular bowel movements are indicators of good gut health. The people who consumed the prunes did not experience any adverse effects. This topic is not as well-studied as one might think, but the limited available data do suggest a potential laxative benefit of both prunes and prune juice for constipation while causing limited negative effects such as loose stools in people without bowel health issues,” Dr. Hooshmand says. “In fact, softer stools are the typical side effect reported in healthy subjects, which would likely be viewed as a benefit.” It’s a noteworthy point: While constipation can be super uncomfortable, having to literally run to the bathroom isn’t any more pleasant. When coupled with fiber and sorbitol, these minerals also contribute to maintaining good digestive health. Potassium and magnesium work together to help regulate muscle contraction and relaxation of the digestive tract. Prune Juice contains 430mg of potassium per 8oz serving which provides 12% of the Daily Value. In addition, studies suggest that potassium may play a role in helping support cell energy by regulating fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contraction to increase energy. (Ehrlich, NM) Make healthy food choices - wherever possible – and make sure you drink lots. Water and diluted fruit juices are both excellent choices as they can quench your thirst and contribute towards good nutrition. Keep Moving

Younger kids can organise each person's present piles – into bags or boxes – so that you can at least see the living room floor or, better still, so that they can be transported to the respective rooms.

Make up your own salad using any variety of what is listed and other preferred options. The beans and seeds add a great deal of fibre so go carefully at first with smaller portions to get used to your own tolerance levels. A low-GI diet offers a range of health benefits and may also allow people to go longer without feeling hungry. Preventing high blood pressure Maintaining the right fibre intake can also help many of our digestion and bowel problems. Dr. Read recommends natural prune juice (like Sunsweet®) as a nutritious and stimulating addition to the daily diet. It contributes to the veggie and fruit intake and also helps the digestive system. Prunes and prune juice have a range of proven and possible benefits, including those below: Bowel functionEven something as simple as a morning cup of coffee can make a difference in your pooping habits. (The acids in coffee can give you the urge to go in just minutes!) The authors of an article in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition recommend fruit juices, such as prune, apple, and pear juices, as a treatment for constipation in children.