Is squash a laxative?

Have you ever found yourself wondering if that delicious squash soup you had for dinner last night could be the reason behind your sudden bowel movements? Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’re going to tackle the question on everyone’s mind – is squash a laxative?

What exactly is squash?

For those of you who might not know what squash is (and no…we’re not talking about the sport), let us give you a quick rundown. Squash belongs to the gourd family and comes in many different varieties such as butternut, acorn, spaghetti and pumpkin.

Fun fact: did you know that pumpkins are technically considered fruit because they have seeds inside? Mind blown!

Despite coming in so many different shapes and sizes, all types of squash share some common characteristics. They all have hard outer shells and soft flesh inside which makes them perfect for soups, stews or roasted dishes.

The Nutritional Benefits

Before we get into whether or not squash can act as a laxative, let’s first talk about its nutritional benefits.

Squash is an excellent source of vitamin A which helps keep our eyes healthy and immune system strong. It also contains potassium which regulates fluid balance in our bodies.

Other nutrients found in most types of squash include:

  • Vitamin C
  • Fiber
  • Magnesium

So even if it doesn’t make us run to the bathroom like crazy (yet), eating squash has plenty of other health benefits.

So…is it a Laxative or Not?

Now onto the main event! Can eating too much squash actually cause diarrhea?

Well folks,the short answer is yes, it can. But before we go making any assumptions based on this statement alone, let’s dig deeper.

There are two main reasons why consuming large amounts of certain types of squashes (particularly summer squashes) can lead to diarrhea:

Reason #1: High water content

Summer squashes like zucchini and yellow squash have a higher water content than other types of squash. This means that when we eat them, our body has to process all that extra liquid which can lead to loose stools.

Pro tip: If you’re experiencing diarrhea after eating summer squash, try cooking them first as this makes it easier for your body to digest.

Reason #2: Fiber

While fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, too much of it can cause digestive issues. Squash contains a significant amount of fiber which helps keep us regular but if we go overboard on the veggie intake, it could also make us run for the toilet.

Pro tip: Try not to consume more than 25-30 grams of fiber per day and make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids so things don’t get ‘backed up’.

But Wait! There’s More…

So now we know that yes – squash can be a laxative in certain circumstances. But did you know there are even more ways in which this vegetable (or fruit?) can affect our digestive system?

Some other things worth mentioning include:

It Can Help with Constipation

On the flip side of things, consuming high amounts of winter squashes like pumpkin or butternut may actually help relieve constipation . The high fiber content in these veggies adds bulk to stool making bowel movements easier.

Important note: Always talk to your doctor before drastically changing your diet if you suffer from chronic constipation .

It Can Cause Gas…Lots Of Gas!

Are you planning on having guests over for dinner tonight? If so, maybe avoid serving anything with acorn or spaghetti squash as they both have been known (pun intended) to cause bloating and gas due their high carbohydrate content.

Pro tip: If you can’t resist making that squash dish, try using digestive aids like ginger or peppermint tea to help ease discomfort.

It Can Even Change Our Poop Color

Okay, this one might be a little TMI but it’s worth mentioning. Consuming large amounts of bright orange winter squashes (think pumpkin) can actually change the color of our poop!

Don’t worry though, it’s completely normal and nothing to be concerned about – just an interesting side effect of eating healthy.

So what have we learned?

Squash is a versatile vegetable that comes with a variety of health benefits (and some funny side effects). While consuming too much summer squash could make us run for the toilet thanks to its high water content and fiber levels, other types of squash could actually help relieve constipation .

So next time you’re enjoying that delicious bowl of butternut soup or roasted acorn squash make sure to take note if anything unusual ahem happens in the bathroom later on. After all,it pays to know what your food is capable of.

Random Posts