Is Pear Juice Good for Constipation?

Constipation is an uncomfortable condition that occurs if you have fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Although you can take laxatives to help move things along, making dietary changes can also help. Pear juice for constipation is one option, according to the University of New Mexico.

See your doctor if you experience frequent issues or if home remedies such as pear juice for constipation or over-the-counter medications do not move your bowels.

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One potential cause of constipation is not drinking enough fluids. Fluids can include juice, soup, water, tea or any other beverage that doesn't contain alcohol. So, adding a glass or two of pear juice to your diet may be helpful if you're dealing with constipation.

Just remember that pear juice adds sugar and calories to your diet, with 90 calories and 18 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce glass, according to the USDA. If you just need more fluids, water may be a better choice.

One of the reasons pear juice can be better than plain water for treating constipation is because it contains a significant amount of sorbitol, sometimes prescribed in a solution to treat constipation.

As explained by Cornell University, sorbitol is an osmotic laxative which helps with constipation by drawing water into your intestines. This softens stool so it moves more easily through the intestinal tract.

Don't drink too much pear juice at once, however, because getting too much sorbitol can actually cause diarrhea. As a result, you could end up with electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.

Some people have difficulty absorbing large amounts of fructose, one of the sugars found in pear juice. As with sorbitol, when fructose isn't well absorbed, it can draw more water toward the stool, making it easier to pass.

However, it can cause diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and gas when consumed in large amounts, according to the University of Wisconsin.

‌Read more:‌ Sugar & Constipation

Eating a pear may be better than drinking pear juice for constipation because the fruit contains more fiber. Not getting enough fiber in your diet is one cause of constipation.

According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, most adults need 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day — and most people only get about 15 grams.

A cup of pear slices has 4.7 grams of fiber, according to the USDA. This equals 16 to 24 percent of your recommended fiber intake. Contrast this with 8 ounces of pear juice, which only provides 2 grams of fiber.

Although the calories in pear fruit versus pear juice are about the same — 85.5 calories in a cup of pear slices and 90 in a cup of pear juice — the pear slices contain 4 less grams of sugar than the juice.

If you want to drink juice, consider choosing prune juice, which provides fructose and 2.9 grams of fiber per cup. But, be aware that there are 170 calories and 17 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving.