What do carrots do to your bowels?

Carrots are a popular and nutritious vegetable that have many health benefits. Some people claim that carrots can help promote regular bowel movements and relieve constipation. In this detailed article, we’ll explore what science says about the effects of carrots on your digestive system and bowels.

Introduction

Carrots are crunchy, tasty, and highly nutritious. These bright orange vegetables are famous for their high beta-carotene content, which gives them their vivid color. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body and has powerful antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.

In addition to beta-carotene, carrots also contain fiber, vitamin K, potassium, biotin, vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin C, and more. The combination of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins in carrots make them a superfood for health.

With all of these nutrients, it’s no wonder that carrots are often claimed to help promote bowel regularity and relieve constipation. The high fiber content in particular makes carrots a smart choice for healthy digestion.

But what does the research actually say? Do carrots live up to their reputation for improving bowel function? Let’s find out.

Fiber Content in Carrots

One of the main reasons carrots are associated with bowel regularity is their high fiber content. Fiber is the indigestible portion of plant foods that passes through our gastrointestinal tract unmodified.

The fiber found in carrots is made up of about:

• 20-40% pectin – a soluble fiber
• 60-80% cellulose – an insoluble fiber

Soluble fibers like pectin can absorb water and turn into a gel-like consistency. Meanwhile, insoluble fibers like cellulose pass through the digestive tract largely intact. Both forms of fiber play important roles in bowel health, though insoluble fiber has more influence on stool bulk and laxation.

The precise fiber content of carrots can vary based on factors like soil quality, size of the carrot, and whether the skin is removed. However, on average, one medium 7” raw carrot (61g) provides about:

Total fiber	2.8g
Soluble fiber	1.2g
Insoluble fiber	1.6g

For reference, adult women should aim for 25g of fiber per day, while adult men should consume 38g. So carrots provide a decent fiber boost for their small size.

Carrots Help Increase Fiber Intake

The main reason carrots are able to promote bowel regularity is simply because they help increase your daily fiber intake.

As a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, carrots boost the overall amount of roughage in your diet. This has an impact on digestive health and stool formation in a few key ways:

• Fiber adds bulk and weight to stools, allowing them to move smoothly through the intestines.
• Insoluble fibers hold onto water in the stool, preventing hard constipated stools.
• Soluble fibers feed the good bacteria in the gut, helping support regularity.
• Fiber decreases transit time in the large intestine.
• The nutrients and antioxidants in carrots also support a healthy gut environment.

The fiber found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes all contribute to these beneficial effects on bowel regularity. So simply eating more fiber-rich plant foods like carrots can naturally help optimize your digestive health and promote more regular bowel movements.

Carrots Might Help Relieve Constipation

Because of their high fiber content, carrots may be helpful for overcoming constipation.

Constipation is defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, along with hard and difficult-to-pass stools. It’s an extremely common problem that affects up to 20% of the population.

Several studies have found connections between increased fiber intake and relief from constipation:

• A 2001 study gave participants 30g per day of fiber supplements or placebo for 4 weeks. The fiber group experienced an increase in stool frequency and loosening of stools.
• Research in the World Journal of Gastroenterology shows that a fiber intake of 20-35g daily produces larger, softer stools and speeds up colonic transit time compared to a low fiber diet.
• According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, increased insoluble fiber intake by foods like carrots can reduce constipation severity.

The fiber in carrots can’t treat constipation on its own. But as part of a high fiber diet, carrots may help get things moving again and provide relief from infrequent, hard-to-pass stools.

Carrots Add Bulk to Stool

One of the ways carrots promote bowel regularity is by adding bulk and weight to stool.

Their indigestible fiber content contributes to larger, heavier stools that are easier to pass. This effect on stool bulk is mainly provided by insoluble fibers like cellulose.

In one study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants ate diets providing 12-21g of fiber per day from fruits and vegetables. Researchers found that insoluble fibers from these whole foods led to increased fecal bulk.

Results from other research shows that eating 80-100g per day (about 1 cup cooked) of high-fiber vegetables like carrots significantly increases stool weight and mass.

So chewing on crunchy whole carrots throughout the day can help create larger, heavier stools that move through the intestines with greater ease. This reduces intestinal transit time and supports more regular bowel patterns.

Carrots Help Moisten Stool

Another useful effect carrots have on bowel function is helping to moisten and soften stool.

Dry, hard stools are difficult to pass and often lead to painful straining. Eating carrots adds fluid and absorbs water in the intestines, allowing stools to remain soft and smooth.

Most of this stool-softening effect comes from the soluble pectin fibers found in carrots. Pectin and other soluble fibers absorb liquid, forming a gel-like matrix. This allows more water to be incorporated into stool as it passes through the colon.

One study in the British Journal of Nutrition had participants eat cellulose or pectin supplements for three weeks. Researchers found the pectin supplements resulted in larger, softer, and moister stools compared to cellulose alone.

So the combination of insoluble and soluble fibers in carrots has complementary effects on stool hydration and texture. This creates the right balance between bulky and soft stools that can move smoothly along the intestinal tract.

Carrots Provide Prebiotics for Gut Bacteria

The soluble fibers found in carrots also serve as prebiotics to feed your intestinal bacteria. This can provide secondary benefits for bowel regularity.

Your colon is filled with trillions of bacteria that play important roles in health, including aiding digestion. The friendly bacteria species feed on the undigested carbs and fiber that make their way through the gut.

Pectin and other soluble fibers found in carrots are fermented by bacteria species like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. As these healthy bacteria digest the carrot fiber, they produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids.

In turn, these short-chain fatty acids help:

• Balance gut pH
• Improve gut barrier function
• Support electrolyte and water absorption
• Provide energy for colon cells

This also allows the good bacteria to thrive and maintain a healthy balance with harmful species. All of these effects of prebiotics create the ideal intestinal environment for normal bowel function.

Carrots Contain Antioxidants for Gut Health

In addition to fiber, carrots also provide antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C. These antioxidants can support gut health and digestion through several mechanisms.

For example, antioxidants in carrots may help:

• Reduce inflammation in the intestinal lining
• Protect against oxidative stress in the gut
• Prevent damage to intestinal cells
• Neutralize harmful compounds in the intestines

This allows the digestive tract to work more efficiently, while also facilitating the growth of healthy gut bacteria.

The antioxidants and phytochemicals in carrots also stimulate bile acid secretion. Bile acts like a detergent in the intestines to help break down fats and stimulate peristalsis. This helps food move smoothly through the bowels.

Through all of these effects, the rich antioxidant content of carrots may provide additional digestive and gut benefits.

Carrots Might Help Treat Diarrhea

For people struggling with diarrhea, carrots might help absorb some of the excess liquid in bowels and solidify stools.

While carrots are most often praised for their benefits against constipation, they contain both soluble and insoluble fibers.

In cases of infectious diarrhea, the pectin and other soluble fibers in carrots can help stool retain more water and decrease runniness.

One lab study in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules tested the effects of pectin on stool consistency using simulated gastrointestinal conditions.

Researchers found that higher intake of pectin increased solidification time and reduced the water separation tendency of loose stools.

So eating well-cooked carrots during a bout of diarrhea may help control loose watery stools by absorbing some of the excess liquid. However, moderation is key, as too much carrot fiber could worsen diarrhea symptoms.

Best Ways to Eat Carrots for Bowel Health

To take advantage of the bowel benefits from carrots, there are a few recommended ways to incorporate them into your diet:

• Eat carrots raw for the most fiber – cooking can slightly reduce the fiber content in carrots.
• Leave the skins on – The skin is full of fiber and nutrients.
• Slow cook carrots – This helps soften their cell walls so the fiber becomes more accessible.
• Juice carrots – Drinking vegetable juice like carrot juice can provide a concentrated fiber source.
• Use clean organic carrots – To avoid toxins that could harm gut bacteria.
• Pair with healthy fats – Fat aids the absorption of fat-soluble carotenoids like beta-carotene.

It’s also important to drink plenty of water when increasing fiber intake to prevent digestive issues.

Aim for at least 2-3 servings of cooked or raw carrots per day. Spreading your intake throughout the day maximizes their benefits on bowel function.

Carrot Allergies and Intolerances

While rare, some people may experience allergic reactions or intolerances to carrots. Carrot allergies are most common in individuals who also have pollen or latex allergies.

Allergy symptoms can include:

• Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat
• Hives, rashes, or skin irritation
• Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis

Carrot intolerance or sensitivity is more common than allergy. Intolerance symptoms include digestive upset like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

If you experience negative reactions to eating carrots, discontinue use and see an allergist. You can also try rotating carrots with other high fiber vegetables to prevent oversensitivity.

Risks and Side Effects

When consumed in normal food amounts, carrots are very safe and provide only health benefits. But a few things to keep in mind are:

• Carrots contain oxalates – These may contribute to kidney stone development in prone individuals when eaten in excess.
• High carrot juice intake can temporarily turn skin yellow or orange.
• Eating too many carrots can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other GI issues.
• Carrots are high in vitamin A – Consuming overrated amounts through carrots or supplements long-term can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

As with any food, moderation is key. Stick to recommended servings of about 1 cup per day and be sure to vary your high fiber foods.

The Bottom Line

Carrots are an exceptional source of insoluble and soluble fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants that provide many digestive benefits. The fiber content of carrots appears to increase stool bulk and weight, soften stools, and feed healthy gut bacteria. All of these effects can help promote regularity.

Research shows links between increased overall fiber intake and improved bowel function. As part of an overall high fiber diet, eating 2-3 servings of carrots per day may help relieve constipation by easing the passage of stools through the intestines.

If you’re looking to improve bowel regularity through your diet, carrots are one of the best vegetables to include. Along with other high fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, carrots can help support optimal digestive health.