Almonds and Constipation

Filed in archive Latina Health on May 3, 2008

© monstershaq2000



Sometimes stress, health changes, weather shifts, and who knows what else can do a number on your digestive system. If you're having trouble moving things along, you can always grab a bag of almonds and gnawsh on them throughout the day.

They have fiber and an amino acid called arginine that helps your body get rid of ammonia. This amino acid helps relieve constipation.

Of course, in the end, our bodies are composed of mostly water. This is the essential element of our lives. And without water, fiber goes from friend to foe immediately.

Fiber basically absorbs water and swells into little beads. These beads mix with the stool and make it soft. This lets the intestine move the waste product along easily.

If you don't drink enough water, the fiber will soak up all the moisture it can (which isn't much, since you haven't had enough liquids) and you end up with a dry, hard mass that won't move. And when it does, the effort the intestine has to make to get it to budge is painful.

So when you eat foods high in fiber, like almonds, you'll either keep your system functioning (and get better looking skin) or... Never mind. Skip the "or"; drink water and go with the happy ending.