Is Welch’s grape juice a laxative?

Welch’s grape juice is a popular beverage made from Concord grapes. Some people claim that drinking Welch’s grape juice acts as a natural laxative, helping relieve constipation. Is there any truth to this? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.

What’s in Welch’s Grape Juice?

Welch’s Concord Grape Juice is made by pressing and filtering grapes. The main ingredients are:

• Grape juice concentrate
• Grape juice
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

It contains no added sugars or preservatives. The grapes used are grown in America.

Nutritionally, an 8 oz glass provides:

• 140 calories
• 0g fat
• 0g protein
• 36g carbs
• 31g sugar
• 2g fiber
• 10% DV vitamin C
• 2% DV iron

The main active ingredients related to laxative effects are fiber, polyphenols, and sorbitol.

Fiber Content

Welch’s Concord Grape Juice contains 2g of fiber per 8 oz serving. This amounts to about 8% of the recommended daily intake for fiber.

Fiber is known to help relieve constipation by adding bulk to stools and promoting regular bowel movements. Soluble fiber found in fruits absorbs water, helping to soften stools and allow them to pass more easily.

While Welch’s grape juice contains fiber, the amount per serving is relatively low compared to other natural sources:

Food	Fiber per Serving
Prunes (dried plums), 3.5 oz	12.4g
Lentils, cooked, 1 cup	15.6g
Chia seeds, 1 oz	10.6g
Welch’s Grape Juice, 8 oz	2g

As you can see, the fiber content of Welch’s grape juice is significantly lower than other high-fiber foods that are known to relieve constipation.

Polyphenols

Grapes contain polyphenols, which are micronutrients with antioxidant properties. The main polyphenols in Concord grapes are anthocyanins, catechins, quercetin, and resveratrol.

Emerging research shows that polyphenols may help relieve constipation in some people. Polyphenols increase stool bulk and moisture, as well as stimulate contractions in the intestines to facilitate bowel movements.

One study gave constipated adults 20g of grape powder, providing 400mg polyphenols. After 4 weeks, grape powder significantly increased stool frequency and softened stool consistency compared to placebo.

While polyphenols in Welch’s grape juice may have mild laxative effects, the concentrations are likely much lower than the grape powder used in this study providing a concentrated dose.

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is poorly absorbed by the body. It’s added to some sugar-free foods and drinks as a sweetener.

Consuming large amounts of sorbitol can have a laxative effect. It pulls water into the intestines via osmosis, causing diarrhea if consumed in excess.

Welch’s Concord Grape Juice does not contain added sorbitol. However, grapes do naturally contain small amounts of sorbitol.

One study tested the sorbitol content in fruits. Concord grapes were found to contain approximately:

• 0.7–2.6 grams of sorbitol per 100 grams of grapes

Given an 8 oz glass of Welch’s grape juice contains about 248 grams of grapes, it would provide only around 2–6 grams of sorbitol.

This small amount of sorbitol is unlikely to have significant laxative effects in most people. Much higher doses of sorbitol are required for it to work as a laxative.

Anthraquinones

Some natural laxatives like senna, rhubarb and aloe contain anthraquinone glycosides. These stimulate the intestines and increase bowel movements.

However, grapes and Welch’s grape juice do not naturally contain anthraquinones. Therefore this is not the reason for any laxative effects.

Does Welch’s Grape Juice Have Laxative Effects?

Only a few studies have specifically investigated whether Welch’s Concord Grape Juice has laxative effects.

In one study of 12 healthy adults, drinking 20 oz Welch’s grape juice daily for 2 weeks did not significantly affect bowel function. Stool weight and gut transit time were not changed.

On the other hand, another small study in 25 constipated elderly patients found 8 oz concentrated Concord grape juice twice daily for 3 weeks increased bowel movements. Stool consistency improved in 54% of patients compared to 24% in the water control group.

Overall, evidence that concord grape juice acts as a laxative is weak and mixed. The fiber, polyphenols and sorbitol it contains may provide a mild laxative effect for some people, but results vary.

Larger scale studies are still needed to confirm any laxative effects.

Possible Mechanisms

There are a few potential reasons why Welch’s grape juice may help certain people relieve constipation:

• Added fluid intake – Drinking more fluids can help soften stools.
• Fiber – Provides bulk and absorbs water to soften and increase stool size.
• Polyphenols – Contains antioxidants that may stimulate contractions in the colon.
• Sorbitol – Naturally occurring sugar alcohol that may draw water into the colon.
• Tartaric acid – Organic acid found in grapes may stimulate bile production and colon contractions.

However, these mechanisms are not well proven and effects may depend on the individual.

Other Factors that Influence Bowel Habits

Keep in mind that many other factors also impact bowel movements. Drinking grape juice is not a magic cure for constipation.

Things that can affect constipation include:

• Diet – Eating more fiber, fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.
• Fluids – Dehydration can make constipation worse.
• Exercise and mobility
• Certain medications
• Diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, IBS
• Pregnancy and hormonal changes
• Stress and anxiety
• Sleep habits
• Daily routines and toilet habits

Rather than relying on grape juice alone, its best to address diet, lifestyle, medications and any medical issues to relieve chronic constipation.

Is Drinking Grape Juice Safe?

For most healthy people, drinking Concord grape juice in moderation is considered safe and may provide some health benefits.

An 8 oz serving contains around 40 calories and 7 grams of natural sugar. The sugar content is similar to apple juice or orange juice.

Potential benefits of grape juice include:

• Antioxidants from polyphenols
• Vitamin C
• Hydration from the fluid

However, there are some potential health risks to be aware of if drinking large amounts of grape juice regularly:

• Weight gain – Grape juice is high in sugar and calories without protein or fat. Drinking too much can lead to excess calories.
• Blood sugar spikes – The sugar content can spike blood glucose levels.
• Dental decay – Bacteria feed on the sugars, producing acid that damages tooth enamel.

To reduce risks, limit intake to a small glass (4-8 oz) per day and avoid sipping continuously throughout the day. Brush teeth after drinking grape juice.

Those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome should be cautious with grape juice due to effects on blood sugar. Check with your doctor about consumption if you have these conditions.

Natural and Laxative Alternatives

Before relying on grape juice as a laxative, consider trying these more proven natural reliefs for constipation:

• Prunes – Dried plums are widely used as a natural laxative due to their high fiber and sorbitol content.
• Chia and flax seeds – Swallow seeds whole or sprinkle into foods and drinks. The mucilage absorbs water to improve stool formation.
• Aloe vera juice – Acts as a stimulant laxative due to the compound anthraquinone.
• Exercise – Physical activity stimulates the intestines and can help with regular bowel movements.
• Probiotics – Improve gut health and stool consistency. Found in yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha.
• Magnesium supplements – Draws water into the colon to soften and loosen stools.

Of course, also speak to your doctor if persistent constipation doesn’t resolve with natural remedies. They can provide professional advice and recommend over-the-counter laxatives if needed.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence that drinking Welch’s grape juice may provide a mild laxative effect for some people due to its fiber, polyphenol, and sorbitol content.

However, study results are mixed overall. Any laxative benefits are likely to be minor compared to proven natural laxatives.

Drinking some grape juice daily may help improve bowel function as part of an overall high-fiber diet. But rely on more potent natural laxatives or speak to your doctor if you have ongoing constipation issues.