Can Constipation Cause Weight Gain?

You’ve surely looked in the mirror more than once and seen that your stomach is more prominent than normal, especially on those days when you suffer from constipation and feel bloated. You weigh yourself and realize you’ve gained a few pounds. How is that possible? Can constipation lead to weight gain?

We’ll talk about this topic today. We hope we can help you solve this recurring problem!

Can constipation cause weight gain?

We’ll start with an example. It has been a week since you haven’t been able to go to the bathroom regularly. In other words, you have constipation-related problems. You notice your clothing is much tighter around the stomach area. Your scales also say that you weigh a little more. So what’s the reason?

This weight gain is not caused by accumulated fat, but rather by those elements stored in your intestines that you should have gotten rid of in the form of feces. Food waste is what’s causing your inflammation. Plus toxins that also worsen fluid retention.

Weight gain because of constipation is “felt” but isn’t real. When your intestinal system regulates itself, those extra pounds will disappear.

Although your stomach looks inflated, this is not fat or muscle, but rather swelling caused by feces retention.

Constipation does not cause weight gain, which is why your figure does not look different nor do you have to buy new clothes. However, constipation is not healthy and those “extra pounds” due to the presence of accumulated feces can cause serious problems.

Stay healthy to prevent constipation

Going to the bathroom regularly and keeping your intestines clean is an important factor in taking care of your general health. This allows you to cleanse your body and eliminate toxins and harmful elements that boost, for example, fluid retention.

So, when following a weight loss diet, it is important to include fiber, liquids, fruits, and vegetables that will help you not only lose weight but also avoid constipation. Having normal bowel movements is a part of your healthy regime.

Weight gain and constipation

If you suffer from severe constipation, you may experience weight gain of up to 2 to 3 pounds in a small amount of time. There is an increase in weight, but once again it is not a true increase. As long as you deal with this problem, that excess weight will disappear.

Experts say that direct proof that you are gaining weight is your body mass index. Watch the volume of your waist, arms… Sometimes, what tends to happen is that you eat poorly for a few days or weeks.

Too much sugar, too little water and not enough fiber. As a result, your body reacts by producing liquids to eliminate that excess and so you look more bloated.

However, this is not true fat. This temporary weight gain will only last for a few days if you eat a better diet and drink more liquids.

How to effectively avoid constipation

Women tend to experience constipation and fluid retention the most. Some days we look really bad in front of the mirror, we feel bloated… But, by following the proper steps, this can be prevented .

You just have to change some habits  and concentrate on what is necessary. Think about how sometimes stress or daily obligations make you rush, and “when you have to go” you prefer to deal with it later. If you do this continuously, your health will end up suffering.

1. Breakfast

Breakfast is key to fighting constipation. There is a formula that never fails and that you should keep in mind. Simply have a piece of fruit, oats, and a hot drink for your breakfast.

You could make a cup of oatmeal with a few pieces of kiwi and grapes. Follow this with a hot nettle infusion, which can be great if you drink it slowly with a little bit of honey.

2. Aloe vera and orange smoothie

Combining aloe vera with orange is an amazing remedy for fighting constipation. This is how to do it:

Ingredients

• 30 grams of aloe vera (the transparent gel from inside of the plant)
• 150 mL of warm water
• An orange

Directions

• Heat the water in a teapot, and when it is boiling, add the aloe vera. Let it dissolve.
• Meanwhile, squeeze the juice from the orange.
• Lastly, just mix the warm aloe vera infusion with the orange juice and drink it on an empty stomach. Delicious!

3. Moderate physical exercise

It is very healthy to walk for half an hour a day, go for a swim, or do light exercise. Staying active will get your intestine to move as necessary in order to boost proper bowel movements. And remember, you will not only be fighting constipation but will also be taking care of your health.

4. Early and light dinner

It is important to not overfill your stomach with excess food at night. A heavy meal at the end of the day makes your intestine slow and store residue that will be very hard to get rid of in the morning. Light dinners two hours before bed are ideal.

5. Fiber, vegetables, and liquids

A diet rich in fresh vegetables (if they are raw, even better), fiber, and plenty of liquids will help regulate your intestinal movements. Also, try rich beet and carrot-based smoothies. They are delicious and effective!