Jello is a popular snack or dessert for many, especially kids, but how does it affect your poop? I’ve done some research and here’s what I discovered.
Jello is primarily made up of gelatin which naturally binds to water, thereby adding bulk to stools and alleviating constipation. Gelatin also stimulates digestive juices and increases peristaltic activity in the walls of the intestines, which helps to move stools quicker and out the body.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Looking for fruits that help to relieve constipation? Here are the 10 Best Fruits That Will Make You Poop better.
Keep reading to learn more about how your body digests jello, as well as how it may help alleviate diarrhea and other foods you can eat to poop immediately!
How Does Your Body Digest Jello?
According to MedicalNewsToday, hospitals often serve gelatin desserts (jello) after surgery due to the fact that it is super easy to digest! Gelatin contains no fiber or oil whatsoever, meaning it moves through your GI tract pretty smoothly.
Once consumed, the gelatin found in jello is digested back to a liquid by gelatinase, which is an enzyme found in the stomach. Next, smaller proteins are formed known as polypeptides, which are then broken down into amino acids before entering the bloodstream from the intestine.
Is Jello Good For Your Gut?
The gelatin found in jello also contains glutamic acid, which may help to promote a healthy mucosal lining in the stomach, thus helping aid digestion. It also boosts digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juices, as well as binding to water to help move food through the GI system.
Enjoying a gelatin-rich soup or broth is part of the GAPS diet, which has been created to heal the gut and boost healthy digestion. Healthy intestinal cells prevent conditions such as the leaky gut, which is typically the cause of many food allergies, intolerances, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune diseases.
Is Jello Good For Diarrhea?
Diarrhea causes your body to rapidly lose fluids, resulting in dehydration which can be dangerous to your health. It is therefore really important that you drink at least 8 to 10 cups (2.5 liters) of clear fluids to replace the lost fluid in your body.
According to Healthfully.com, clear fluids are your best option as they leave little to no food in your digestive tract and simply help to rehydrate you. One home remedy that is very popular for the treatment of diarrhea is jello water. This works because the gelatin helps to bind the stools and halt diarrhea, as well as rehydrating you.
How Do You Make Jello Water For Diarrhea Treatment?
Making jello water is incredibly simple! All you need to do is dissolve your favorite flavor of gelatin (see package instructions) and dilute it with approximately two cups of freshwater. Pour the mixture into a bottle or glass and sip this slowly throughout the course of the day.
Insider Tip: The flavoring in gelatin has been known to change the color of stools, so if you don’t want to cause panic (especially if you are administering this to a child) steer clear of bright colors such as red.
Which Other Foods Help You Poop Immediately?
According to Healthline, there are a variety of other foods that can help you poop immediately! If you’ve had enough of jello, then here are some other alternatives you can try out for constipation relief:
1. Prunes
This one made number one on the list for good reason! Prunes are commonly used as a natural remedy for constipation as they contain high amounts of fiber (28 grams per 1-ounce) or the equivalent of three prunes. According to the American Heart Association, this is 8% of your daily recommended intake of fiber. Not bad!
Prunes also contain insoluble fiber (cellulose) which increases water in stools, adding bulk. Soluble fiber found in prunes ferments in the colon, producing short-chain fatty acids, which also increases the weight of stools, helping to promote regular bowel movements.
Prunes also contain sorbitol, which may cause a laxative effect in certain groups of people. The sugar alcohol in sorbitol is not absorbed well by the body, resulting in water being drawn into the colon, creating a bowel movement.
2. Apples
Apples are rich in fiber, with one medium-sized apple containing a decent 4.4 grams of fiber, which is an impressive 17% of your recommended daily intake. As an added bonus, apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, mostly in the form of pectin.
Pectin is rapidly fermented by bacteria once it reaches the gut to form short-chain fatty acids. These pull water into the colon, softening the stool, and minimize gut transit time, according to studies.
Apples are a super-easy way to add fiber to your diet, plus they make an excellent low-calorie snack between meals!
Insider Tip: Granny Smith apples contain a particularly high fiber content!
3. Whole-Grain Rye Bread
Rye bread is a traditional bread in many parts of the world, particularly Europe. It is rich in dietary fiber, with two slices of this bread containing four grams of dietary fiber, which meets an impressive 15% of your daily requirements.
In fact, research has shown that rye bread is even more effective at relieving constipation than regular wheat bread or laxatives. One study in 51 adults suffering from constipation studied the effects of eating 8.5 ounces of rye bread daily.
Those who ate the rye bread indicated a 23% decrease in intestinal transit times (on average) compared to those who are wheat bread. They also experienced softer stools and more regular, easy bowel movements.
Try swapping out your regular white bread with rye bread and notice the difference in your digestion and bowels!
4. Beans, Peas and Lentils
Beans, peas, and lentils are some of the most affordable, fiber-enriched food groups that you can add to your diet!
Only one cup of cooked navy beans contains an impressive 19.1 grams of fiber, which is approximately 80% of your daily requirements. Amazing, right?
Additionally, only half a cup of cooked lentils contains 7.8 grams of fiber, which meets a 31% of your daily requirements.
They also contain insoluble and soluble fiber, which helps to combat constipation by providing bulk to the stools and softening them for easier passage through the intestines.
You can easily add these foods to your diet simply by adding them to soups, dips, salads, or ground-meat dishes to add some bulk and flavor.
5. Oat Bran
Oat brain can be described as the fiber-dense outer casing of the oat grain. It has essentially more fiber than the regularly utilized quick oats. In 33% cup (31 grams) of oat grain, there are 4.8 grams of fiber, contrasted with 2.7 grams in quick oats.
In fact, a study from the UK showed that consuming only two oat-bran biscuits daily improved the consistency and frequency of bowel movements and minimized pain in those between the ages of 60 and 80.
You can easily mix some oat bran with granola mixes or bake it into bread or muffins for constipation relief!
Related Questions
How can I clean my stomach instantly?
Prior to eating in the early morning, simply blend 2 teaspoons of salt with warm water. Ocean salt or Himalayan salt is your best bet. Drink water rapidly on an empty stomach, and in no time, you’ll find yourself rushing to the bathroom!
