How can exercise help with constipation?
ANSWER
Exercise helps constipation by decreasing the time it takes food to move through the large intestine, thus limiting the amount of water absorbed from the stool into the body. Hard, dry stools are harder to pass. In addition, aerobic exercise accelerates your breathing and heart rate. This helps to stimulate the natural contraction of intestinal muscles. Intestinal muscles that contract efficiently help move stools out quickly.
From: Exercise to Ease Constipation WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith on June 25, 2018
SOURCES: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "Constipation." American Academy of Family Physicians FamilyDoctor.org: "Digestive Basics."
SOURCES: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "Constipation." American Academy of Family Physicians FamilyDoctor.org: "Digestive Basics."
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