Constipation is a common problem that’s generally defined as having less than three bowel movements per week.

In fact, as many as 27% of adults experience it and its accompanying symptoms, such as bloating and gas. The older or more physically inactive you get, the more likely you are to experience it.

Some foods can help relieve or reduce the risk of constipation, while others can make it worse.

Fried or fast foods
Eating large or frequent portions of fried or fast foods may also increase the risk of constipation.

That’s because these foods tend to be high in fat and low in fiber, a combination that can slow digestion in the same way that red meat does.

Fast food snacks like chips, cookies, chocolate, and ice cream may also replace more fiber-rich snack options, such as fruits and vegetables in a person’s diet.

This can further increase the likelihood of constipation by reducing the total amount of fiber consumed per day.

Interestingly, many people believe chocolate is one of the main causes of their constipation.

Furthermore, fried and fast foods tend to contain large amounts of salt, which can lower the water content of stool, drying it up and making it harder to push through the body.

This happens when you eat too much salt, as your body sucks up water from your intestines to help compensate for the extra salt in your bloodstream.

This is one way your body works to bring its salt concentration back to normal, but unfortunately, it can lead to constipation.

Fried and fast foods are low in fiber and high in fat and salt. These characteristics may slow digestion and increase the likelihood of constipation.