Research suggests that drinking prune juice may help treat constipation. It may soften stools and encourage more frequent bowel movements.

Constipation can occur for many reasons, including low activity levels, dietary factors, health conditions, and specific medical treatments.

Often, home remedies are the first line of treatment, particularly for occasional constipation. Prune juice is among the most popular home treatments.

prunes to make prune juice for constipationShare on Pinterest
annick vanderschelden photography/Getty Images

Many people find that prune juice helps manage constipation, and some evidence supports these claims.

In a 2022 studyTrusted Source, 84 people with chronic constipation took 54 grams (g) of either prune juice or a placebo each day.

After 8 weeks, those who took the prune juice had softer stools and more frequent bowel movements than the other group. They reported no adverse effects of loose, watery stools, diarrhea, or flatulence.

The researchers believed prune juice’s success as a treatment was mainly due to its sorbitol, pectin, and polyphenol content.

Prunes are high in fiberTrusted Source and contain hemicellulose, cellulose, and pectin.

Gut microbiota can quickly ferment some fiber types, such as pectin, which may act as a prebiotic. Cellulose does not ferment but increases the water levels in the stool by stimulating movement in the gut.

Manufacturers make prune juice from dried plums. While prune juice benefits people with constipation, eating whole prunes may be just as effective.

This is because prune juice loses soluble fiber during the juicing process. Fiber aids stool bulking through water retention in the colon, which results in softer stools and better bowel movements.

As well as providing relief from digestive problems, regularly consuming prunes and prune juice may benefit a person’s health in the following ways:

What are some other benefits of prune juice?

There are no set guidelines on using prune juice for constipation. One reason is that there is no standard way to prepare or prescribe prune juice.

In 2022, researchersTrusted Source noted that people benefited from a daily dose of 54 g, or around 54 milliliters (ml) of prune juice over 8 weeks.

Consuming prunes or prune juice is a relatively low risk remedy for constipation. However, prune juice is also very high in sugar and calories. A 31 g cup of prune juice contains 5 g of sugar.

A high sugar intake can increase the risk of weight gain and blood sugar problems.

Everyone’s bowel movement patterns are different. However, people who pass fewer than three movements a week may wish to consult a doctor, mainly if their stools are hard and difficult to pass.

A doctor may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications. People with severe constipation may need prescription medications, an enema, or manual stool removal.

How quickly does prune juice relieve constipation?

How quickly prune juice relieves constipation depends on each individual. For some, it may take only a few hours, while for others it may take days.

What are other ways to stimulate a bowel movement quickly?

Fiber supplements, drinking coffee, or taking a laxative may help stimulate bowel movements quickly.

Does prune juice break up impacted stool?

Prune juice can break up impacted, hard, and lumpy stools in the bowels.

Constipation is a common problem affecting a person’s quality of life. Without treatment, it can lead to serious health complications.

Prune juice and prunes may be an effective and low risk solution for some people, especially those with mild constipation. However, it is best to consume these fruits and their juice in moderation as both are high in sugar and calories.

Anyone with severe or persistent constipation should seek medical advice, as constipation can indicate an underlying health condition that needs attention.