The apple is one of the most recommended fruits when we need to follow a soft diet, either due to constipation or diarrhea. It is one of the best options for the digestive system, since it acts as an intestinal regulator and is very digestive, but there is always the question of when to take it and if the apple is constipating or laxative.
Is the apple astringent or laxative?
The apple is one of the most beneficial foods for the digestive system, since it is a powerful intestinal regulator. But… is it an astringent or laxative food? The answer is: both .
Have you ever wondered why the doctor recommends you eat apple when you have diarrhea and also recommends it for constipation? The answer is in the skin.
The apple is a fruit rich in pectin and tannins that help retain water and have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties . For now it seems the ideal food for an astringent diet, but if we consume it with skin, things change. The highest concentration of fiber in this fruit is found in the skin of the apple, so taking it with the skin becomes the perfect complement if you suffer from constipation.
Does baked apple constipate?
The answer is it depends. As we have already seen, it will depend on whether you prepare it with skin or without it . You already know that the skin of the fruit is where the fiber is concentrated, so if you eat a baked apple with the skin on, your body will be absorbing all the fiber in the fruit and it will have a laxative effect.
The baked apple without skin does constipate, so it is recommended to combat diarrhea. In fact, it is one of the most recommended foods in astringent diets due to its ability to deflate the intestinal mucosa and recover minerals.
In addition, we also recommend you take a look at this article on the Benefits of eating apples .
How to eat apple for diarrhea
As you have seen, the way you consume apples will have an astringent or laxative effect on your body, so it is important that you know all your options. If you want to know how to take apples to stop diarrhea , follow these tips.
The apple is very effective in treating diarrhea due to its pectin and tannin content. If these names sound like Chinese to you, don't worry, because we are going to explain how they act in your body and how they are going to help you stop diarrhea.
Pectin is a soluble fiber present in the pulp of apples. Among its properties is the ability to retain water , making it perfect for retaining the water that causes stomach decomposition. Apple pectin is also an excellent ally to recover the minerals lost after an episode of diarrhea. The other component is the tannins which, thanks to their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, are responsible for reducing inflammation and drying the intestinal mucosa.
To benefit from the effects of pectin and tannins you should eat the apple without the skin , as this will avoid adding fiber to the body. At OneHOWTO we want you to know that the best way to eat an apple for diarrhea is grated… we'll help you prepare it!
- Take an apple and peel it.
- Take a plate and start grating the apple.
- Let the grated apple sit in the air for a while to darken, as this will multiply the amount of tannins in the fruit.
You can also prepare it and eat it in compote. To do this you must peel the apples, cut them into pieces and bake them for 30-40 minutes at 150ºC. When they are soft, mash them with a fork or put them in a food mill. Remember that if you want to take them for diarrhea you should not add sugar or honey. If you wish, you can sprinkle a touch of cinnamon, because in addition to having a large amount of tannins, it will give your apple a delicious flavor.
Other astringent foods
In addition to the apple, there are other astringent foods that you can take if you have diarrhea, as they will help you avoid dehydration and recover lost minerals . These are some of the foods you can take for diarrhea:
- White rice : one of the basics in astringent diets, cooked rice helps improve the consistency of liquid stools.
- Potato : to facilitate its digestion you should take it cooked or steamed. Forget the fried ones if you want to stop diarrhea.
- Fish : in case of diarrhoea, you should take white fish, since the blue ones are fattier. It is advisable to introduce fish in the diet before meat.
- Lean meats : mainly chicken and turkey. Cook them steamed, grilled or baked. If you like, you can also eat rabbit and cooked ham.
- White yogurt : the perfect food to restore the intestinal flora lost during an episode of diarrhea.
- Egg : only if you consume it cooked, in an omelet or poached, no fried. The best option is a French omelette, since it does not include any heavy food that can harm you. Accompany it with a little boiled rice and you will have a delicious and astringent dish.
- Carrots : we recommend you take them steamed or cooked. We do not recommend other vegetables because most have a high fiber content. Carrots are perfect to accompany fish or meat.
- Fluids – You should increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration. How to take them? In infusions, fat-free broths, water or serums recommended by your doctor. You should eliminate coffee and carbonated and alcoholic beverages from your diet.
