Best Drinks for Constipation

The best drinks for constipation are water, prune juice, and pear juice. They can help in different ways, but none works for everyone or replaces medical care when symptoms are concerning.

For approaches beyond drinks, browse natural remedies by health goal.

6 best drinks for constipation: a quick list

To help organize your symptoms before seeking care, try the ai symptom analyzer. It cannot diagnose the cause of constipation or replace a clinician.

1. Water

Water is the best starting point, particularly if you have not been drinking enough. Adequate fluid helps keep stool from becoming dry and supports the movement of fiber through the digestive tract. If you are already well hydrated, however, drinking extra water may not make constipation go away.

Drink water regularly throughout the day, including with meals. Warm or cold water both count; choose whichever makes it easier for you to drink comfortably. You can add fruit for flavor if plain water is unappealing; see detox water for constipation for ideas.

Evidence: Low fluid intake is one possible contributor to constipation, but research has not established that extra water treats constipation in people who are already adequately hydrated. A flavored water is primarily a way to support hydration, not a proven detox treatment. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification; the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste, while sweat removes only trace amounts.

2. Prune juice

Prune juice contains sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that can draw water into the bowel. This may soften stool and make it easier to pass. Its effect can vary, and too much can cause gas, cramps, or diarrhea.

Try a small glass and see how your body responds before having more. You do not need to replace all your usual water with juice. If you prefer the whole fruit, prunes are another option and provide fiber, although adding fiber gradually can be more comfortable.

Evidence: Sorbitol provides a plausible mechanism, but we found no trial of prune juice for constipation. It does not establish the best amount or guarantee that prune juice will work for an individual.

3. Pear juice

Pear juice also contains sorbitol, which can pull water into the bowel and help soften stool. Like prune juice, it may cause bloating or loose stools, especially if you are sensitive to sorbitol or drink a large amount.

Choose plain pear juice rather than a heavily sweetened juice drink, and start with a small glass. Strained juice generally provides less of the fiber available from eating the whole pear. If you would rather increase fiber than drink juice, a whole pear is an option alongside your usual fluids.

Evidence: The proposed effect comes from pear juice’s sorbitol content. The evidence reviewed here does not include a pear-juice trial, so its effectiveness and the best amount for constipation remain uncertain.

4. Whole-fruit smoothie

A smoothie made with whole fruit can provide both fluid and fiber. Unlike strained juice, it retains more of the fruit’s fiber, which can add bulk to stool. Fiber works best when you also drink enough fluid; increasing it too quickly can cause gas or bloating.

Blend whole berries or another fruit you tolerate with water or another liquid you normally drink. Keep the smoothie simple and use fruit rather than relying on added sugar for sweetness. For other ways to add fiber and establish a bowel routine, see home remedies for constipation.

Evidence: Fiber and hydration are sensible parts of constipation self-care, but we found no trial showing that a particular smoothie treats constipation. A smoothie may be less suitable if fiber makes your symptoms worse or a clinician has advised a low-fiber diet.

5. Coffee

Coffee can stimulate bowel activity in some people, who may notice an urge to pass stool after drinking it. The response varies, and coffee should not be relied on as a treatment for ongoing constipation.

If you already enjoy coffee and tolerate it, your usual cup may be a reasonable option. Avoid increasing your intake just to force a bowel movement, especially if caffeine gives you palpitations, anxiety, reflux, or trouble sleeping. Coffee contributes fluid, but too much caffeine can cause unwanted effects.

Evidence: We found no coffee trial for constipation, so research has not established how reliably coffee helps or whether it is better than other drinks. Children should not use coffee as a constipation remedy; people who are pregnant should discuss caffeine limits with their maternity clinician.

6. Herbal tea

A mild, caffeine-free herbal tea can be a comfortable way to get fluid, particularly if you prefer a warm drink. Its main potential benefit for constipation is hydration; there is no reason to assume that a particular herb will reliably relieve symptoms.

Choose a tea whose ingredients you recognize and drink it unsweetened if you prefer. For more on different products and their precautions, see best tea for constipation.

Evidence: We found no trial of herbal tea for constipation. Some teas contain senna, a stimulant laxative, rather than just flavoring herbs. Senna tea can cause cramping and diarrhea and should not be used regularly without medical advice. Check with a clinician before using medicinal herbal teas during pregnancy or for a child.

Which drinks should you limit or avoid?

Limit alcohol when you are constipated, especially if it replaces water or other fluids. Alcohol can contribute to dehydration, and it is not a constipation remedy.

Be cautious with large amounts of sweetened drinks and juice. Juice can help some people, but excess sugar or sorbitol may cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea. If you have diabetes, consider how juice fits your blood-glucose plan and ask your clinician or dietitian for individual advice.

There is no need for everyone with constipation to avoid coffee: some people find it helps. But avoid using large amounts of caffeine as a laxative, and limit it if it worsens other symptoms. Similarly, avoid a drink you know triggers discomfort rather than cutting out an entire category without a clear reason.

How much should you drink for constipation?

There is no single amount of water or juice proven to relieve everyone’s constipation. If you have no fluid restriction, drink regularly with meals and when thirsty, and use your usual response to guide your choices. Increase fluid gradually if you have been drinking very little; do not force down large volumes in the hope of faster relief.

For context, the US National Academies’ general daily reference intakes for adults are about 2.7 L (11.4 US cups) of total water for women and 3.7 L (15.6 US cups) for men. These figures include water from food and all beverages, not just drinking water. Individual needs vary with factors such as activity, weather, health, and pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you have kidney disease, heart failure, or another condition requiring a fluid limit, follow your clinician’s individualized advice rather than a general intake figure. A review of constipation in chronic kidney disease discusses low fluid intake and certain medicines among possible contributors, but that does not mean everyone with kidney disease should drink more. Ask about juice as well if you have been told to limit potassium or fluid.

When should you see a doctor?

Seek urgent medical care for constipation with severe or constant abdominal pain, significant abdominal swelling, vomiting, or an inability to pass gas. These can be warning signs of an obstruction or another condition that needs prompt assessment; do not try to push through them with extra juice, fiber, or laxatives.

Contact a clinician promptly if you notice blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, or a new and persistent change in bowel habits. Make an appointment if constipation does not improve with self-care, keeps returning, or interferes with daily life. A clinician can help identify possible causes and discuss appropriate treatment.

Who should be especially careful?

People who are pregnant, children, and people with kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, or fluid restrictions may need individualized advice about drinks and constipation treatments. Ask a clinician before giving an infant or child juice or herbal tea specifically as a remedy.

Some medicines and supplements can contribute to constipation, including certain pain medicines, iron supplements, and some medicines used for other conditions. Do not stop or change prescribed medication on your own; ask the prescriber or pharmacist about safe options.