Eat This Type of Bread to Stay Regular

Feeling a little irregular? There's a certain type of bread that may help keep things moving along: rye.

In a study, eating whole-grain rye bread every day for 3 weeks produced even better relief from constipation than laxatives did.

Something in the Rye
Cramps, bloating, abdominal pressure . . . being constipated sure is uncomfortable. And unfortunately, about 30 percent of people living in Western countries suffer from chronic constipation. Eating more fiber is a great way to get things moving again, and whole-grain rye bread is a great source. In the study, people who bulked up their diets with about nine slices of fiber-rich (4 grams of fiber/slice) rye bread daily experienced significant relief from their constipation. Food took less time to pass through their bodies, and they were able to go more times each week. (Check out these other fiber-rich bread brands.)

Colon Cues
If you add more fiber to your diet, remember to add more water as well. Fiber can help bulk up and soften stools, but without enough water, it may be hard to go. In addition to adding more fiber and water to your diet, here are some other ways to keep your bowels healthy:

• Eat more of this super fruit for your colon.
• Discover how psyllium could save you some bathroom time.
• Try this snack that can help keep you regular.

Got a fierce bagel habit? No problem! Make your own healthy, high-fiber rye version with this pumpernickel bagel recipe from EatingWell.