Constipation is more common in the elderly population. Most older people will experience constipation more or less, seriously affecting the quality of life of the elderly and making them suffer. The reasons for causing constipation are also complicated. Here we list several common causes of constipation.

1. the lack of dietary fiber intake, such as coarse food, and eating too much food, make the dietary fiber intake decreased, resulting in slow bowel movements, defecation caused by constipation.

2. elderly people with sedentary, less exercise, and without not develop good bowel habits are prone to constipation.

3. mental factors and constipation are also closely related. The study found that mental stress, psychological pressure, insomnia or poor quality of sleep are also prone to constipation.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

In fact, many elderly people do not have a correct understanding of constipation. What symptoms are considered constipation?

The doctor said that digestion and absorption of food would take 24 to 48 hours to excrete. If the amount of defecation is too little, too hard, discharge difficult, or the number of defecation within 7 days is less than 1 or 2 times, it can be called constipation.

Physicians also emphasized that this definition is not absolute. If there is no bowel movement for 48 hours, you do not have any discomfort, and you will not be considered constipated when you perform a clean performance at the time of defecation.

The slogan “You want to eat more fruits and vegetables” is often heard. Many people are also considered it correct. However, it is not good to just eat vegetables.

Nutritionists said that many people like to eat lettuce salad, however, the amount of fiber in the salad is less; many people also like to eat cabbage, bean sprouts, and other sweet-tasting vegetables, but the amount of fiber is not particularly outstanding.

Bitter gourd and burdock can relieve constipation
High fiber aids in defecation and dietitians recommend bitter gourd and burdock. The bitter gourd has an effect on relieving dry heat and inflammation in traditional Chinese medicine, and the fiber content is high. The fiber is three times higher than that of Korean cabbage in a hundred grams of bitter gourd, and it is effective whether it is white jade bitter gourd or green mountain bitter gourd.

However, bitter taste of bitter gourd makes many people frightened. You can try to cook pineapple bitter gourd chicken soup, cold bitter gourd or cold bitter gourd tea, which can reduce bitterness.

How to make bitter gourd cold tea?  Pick green mountain bitter gourd, dry and slice it, take fifteen to thirty grams with 500 c.c. water and simmer for three minutes under low heat after the tea boils and then turn off.

The burdock is Chinese ancient food and food dual-use food vegetable and regarded as the high-grade vegetable with excellent nutrition and healthcare value. This is described in the book “Anti-aging Code”: “burdock is a mild nutrient herb that helps the body maintain a good working condition. It can be consumed daily without any side effects, and it has a healing function for the balance of various systems in the body.” This shows the nutritional value of burdock.

Burdock’s cuisine is also simple, the nutritionist said. Cut a piece of burdock into the rice cooker, cover the burdock with water. Drink directly the boiled water. It is rich in water-soluble fiber and can help gastrointestinal motility. However, it is easy to fart, and it is recommended to drink in the afternoon.