Gen Z are drinking olive oil to relieve constipation

Generation Z is embracing a unique remedy to stay regular.

Around 1 in 5 Australians suffer from constipation. Around four million Americans suffer from constipation, according to the New York Post.

According to a poll conducted by Dulcolax, a laxative retailer in the UK, and obtained by the Daily Mail, the younger generation has turned to natural remedies to combat this uncomfortable complaint.

Experts say that it is not just a viral hack popular with the young generation.

According to Medical News Today, the fats found in olive oil help keep a person’s stool soft by allowing it to absorb more water.

Constipation, characterized by infrequent or uncomfortable bowel movements, is the most common gastrointestinal complaint and leads to 2.5 million doctor visits annually, Hopkins Medicine.

Constipation occurs when your colon (large intestinal tract) absorbs excessive water from your poop. The poop becomes hard and harder to push through your body.

Studies have shown that taking a tablespoon of olive in the morning on an empty stomach can help you poop.

In a study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition in 2015, 50 participants found that flaxseed and mineral oils relieved constipation.

According to the UK survey, 22.2% of respondents ate prunes, and 13.1% admitted to hopping up and down in order to get moving.

According to the survey, other remedies include taking a warm bath or drinking coffee in order to speed up the process of going to the bathroom (23,7%). One-fifth of those surveyed eat only fruit, 6.3% fast, and 7.4% smoke.

One in seven people aged 18 to 54 were constipated in the past six months, but they felt embarrassed to ask for help. And 48 percent of people said that they were afraid to buy laxatives.

People who want to improve their bowel movements should not only try laxatives or natural remedies but also make lifestyle changes such as eating more fiber, increasing water intake, reducing dairy consumption, and exercising more.