Our bodies have an amazing natural ability to cleanse and detox on their own — we just need to provide the correct nutrients and hydrating fluids. Low water and nutrient intake can lead to the buildup of toxins in our bodies because the digestive tract becomes dry while the liver and kidneys, the main detoxifying organs, slow down functioning.

A much better way to relieve constipation over using laxatives is to make long-term changes to your diet. Your body can only really “detox” when you stop putting in the wrong things and start giving it what it really needs to function properly. Eating more fiber, removing inflammatory foods that cause constipation in the first place and adding in foods that act like natural laxatives is a much safer approach than relying on any laxative capsules, juices, colonics or pills.


Is there ever a time that laxatives are appropriate and really needed? Sure, but probably not as often as people assume. For otherwise healthy adults, it’s likely OK to take laxatives every now and then, such as when you’re traveling and jet-lagged or dealing with a short-term stomach illness. The number of bowl movements someone should have a day/week varies from person to person, so there is not one specific number that is considered completely “normal” and healthy.

Most experts agree that it’s important to go to the bathroom at least three or more times per week at a minimum. The bottom line is that if you’re currently not going at least this amount, making changes to your diet and lifestyle first (for example, exercising and reducing stress) is crucial to solving the problem long-term.




Most adults, and children too, could afford to eat more fiber. While increasing fiber alone might not solve all cases of constipation, it’s definitely one of the first steps to take. Make sure you aim to get between 25–40 grams of fiber per day, with adult men/bigger individuals needing an amount on the higher end of the scale. You always want to get your fiber from natural sources (real foods!) whenever possible as opposed to artificially created fibers. While many high-fiber foods act like natural laxatives, synthetic fibers found in processed “high-fiber” bars, shakes, smoothies or dairy products might not work the same way.

Focus first and foremost on eating real, whole foods, especially plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nearly all types of vegetables, fruits, ancient grains, seeds, nuts and beans are great sources of both soluble and insoluble fiber, along with important electrolytes, vitamins and minerals that your digestive system relies on. A higher nutrient intake in general increases your ability to form solid stools and successfully pass them through your digestive system.

One thing to note about foods that act like natural laxatives: Each person is a bit different, and not everyone reacts to foods in the same way. For example, some fruits/veggies contain FODMAPs, types of carbohydrates that are tough for some people to break down, which can can actually worsen bloating/constipation problems and cause IBS-like symptoms. So, always test your own reaction to foods, and try to avoid any that you’ve noticed specifically cause you digestive distress.


Here is the list of the foods that help. But if you would like to go the overnight route and still stay natural, some of the most powerful overnight laxatives in the market are based on the Senna leaf. Here are some we suggest and that you will not be disappointed trying