Credits: Social Media
Doctor’s warning over ‘5-minute constipation hack’ that could ‘burn your intestine’
If you are tempted to try the viral hack on TikTok to relieve your bowel – don’t. A doctor warns against the side effects of the ‘5-min’ hack using whole orange and cinnamon powder.
Nothing’s more uneasy than having poop stuck in your bowel. While the quick method for instant relief seems easy, you wouldn’t want to cause more damage to your digestive system.
TikTok users try the ‘5-min constipation hack’
TikTok users are infamous for promoting health hacks that aren’t necessarily safe, including the one to fix constipation in five minutes.
It involves eating a whole orange dipped in cinnamon powder. Users are seen eating huge chunks of orange with the skin on after sprinkling it with a generous amount of seasoning.
Many claim they rushed to the bathroom within 5-10 minutes of eating the recipe suggested in the hack and were able to clear their bowel instantly.
However, what they fail to tell is the possible side effects. Dr. Karan Raj warns others from trying it as the experiment can go south and cause issues such as an excessive burning sensation in your stomach and irregular bowels due to orange peel rich in fiber.
Doctor suggests safe alternatives to clear your bowel
Dr. Karan says, even though orange peel has about 7 grams of fiber, eating it at once isn’t advisable as it’s insoluble in your system.
As for the cinnamon powder, it’s said to contain small amounts of capsaicin – a chemical found in spicy foods. Your body doesn’t have capsaicin receptors, which prompts it to tell the brain that “your intestines are on fire,” says the doctor.
This causes the digestive system to speed up the process and shorten the bowel transit, thus pushing the spice out of your body. Despite its effectiveness, the doctor recommends against the ‘5-min constipation’ hack as it can have adverse effects on your health.
He recommends two other safe alternatives, instead – Kiwis and Pears. While Kiwi contains the enzyme Actinidin, Pears has Sorbitol, which has a natural “osmotic laxative effect.” It helps draw more water into your colon to keep your stool “big and soft,” thus avoiding constipation.
Drinking any hot beverage on an empty stomach, including water, and fiber-rich food in your diet are other healthy ways to cure constipation.
Dr. Karan Rajan is a certified NHS surgeon from London with over seven years of experience. After graduating from Imperial College London, hes currently serving as a lecturer at Sunderland University. He is best known for his TikTok videos related to health and medicine which he uses to educate his followers. He identifies himself as a speaker and educator with millions of followers across social media, which he has gained by combining his expertise with entertainment.
