The 5 Best Drinks for Constipation (Plus 2 to Avoid)

If you’ve ever struggled with constipation, you may have heard about home remedies like adding fiber to your diet and increasing your physical activity. These changes can make it easier to have regular bowel movements. But did you know that what you drink can also affect the size and consistency of your stool? 

Here are the five best things to drink when you’re constipated. 

1. Water

Water is the best thing to drink when you’re constipated. Not only can it help ease constipation, it can also keep constipation from coming back.

For stool to be solid yet soft enough to move through your gut, it needs the right amount of water. When there’s not enough water, your poop gets harder and more difficult to pass. Drinking enough water keeps your entire body — including your stool — hydrated. When you’re fully hydrated, you’re less likely to experience constipation.

Water also makes other constipation remedies work better. For example, more fiber in your diet helps with constipation. But there needs to be enough water to “plump up” the fiber in your stool. 

Everyone’s water needs are a bit different. The general rule is eight glasses of water a day, but you may need more or less depending on your weight, activity level, and other medical conditions. Getting enough water throughout the day can help you get rid of constipation for good. 

2. Coffee

Coffee is another great drink if you’re constipated. You may have already noticed that coffee can make you poop. That’s because coffee activates the gastrocolic reflex, which triggers stool to move through your colon. It’s likely that the caffeine in coffee plays the biggest role in this process. But studies show that even decaf coffee stimulates movement in your colon — just to a lesser extent than regular coffee. 

This effect is strongest first thing in the morning, so consider adding a cup of coffee to your morning routine.

3. Warm drinks

If you’re not a coffee drinker, don’t worry — other warm drinks may also help relieve constipation. 

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A small study looked at whether drinking warm water helped restore bowel function after surgery. It found that the people who drank warm water after surgery started passing gas sooner than those who didn’t. Tea, warm broth, and warm lemon water can all do the trick. 

Some warm drinks, like green or black tea, also have a small amount of caffeine to help move things along. 

4. Fruit juice

Certain fruit juices can also help you poop when you’re constipated. Pectin, a type of soluble fiber, is often added to juice to help improve juice texture. Soluble fibers like pectin soften hard stool. 

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Some of the best fruit juices for constipation include apple juice, pear juice, and prune juice. These juices contain pectin and are high in sorbitol, a type of sugar alcohol. Sorbitol causes water to move into your colon, which can help relieve constipation.

Try adding a glass of apple, pear, or prune juice to your daily routine. If you’re watching your sugar intake, check the nutrition label for total and added sugars. 

5. Probiotic drinks

Probiotic drinks can help support gut health and may also help with constipation. The gut needs healthy bacteria — called probiotics — in order to work properly. 

There’s evidence that probiotics can relieve constipation by stimulating movement in your gut and decreasing the time it takes for stool to pass. Fermented drinks like kombucha and kefir are natural sources of probiotics. You can try adding these to your daily routine. 

If you don’t like the taste of fermented drinks, try a smoothie made with fiber-rich fruits or vegetables and a probiotic yogurt.

What drinks can make constipation worse?

While some drinks can help relieve constipation, others can make it worse. If you have constipation, here are two drinks to avoid.

Milk 

Milk has lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. It can cause constipation if you have lactose intolerance. If you’ve been diagnosed with lactose intolerance and are experiencing constipation, take a break from milk and other lactose products. 

Alcohol 

Alcohol can affect how quickly food moves through your gut. There’s evidence that drinks with high alcohol concentrations can have the opposite effect. These drinks can slow down bowel movements, leading to constipation. Also, alcoholic drinks — including beer, wine, and spirits — don’t contain any fiber. You should avoid low-fiber foods and drinks if you have constipation. 

When should I talk to a doctor about constipation?

Check in with your healthcare team for advice if you’re experiencing constipation on a regular basis. Everyone gets constipated from time to time. And most cases of constipation can be treated with diet changes and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. But sometimes, constipation can be a sign of a more serious condition. If you’re having frequent constipation, it’s best to seek care. 

Be sure to contact your healthcare team right away if you have constipation plus other concerning symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fever

• Blood in your stool or dark black stools

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Written by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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