Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Prunes (dried plums) are widely recognized for their beneficial effects on digestive health, primarily due to their high content of dietary fiber and natural sorbitol, a sugar alcohol with mild laxative properties. The use of prunes in the management of hemorrhoids is scientifically justified not because prunes directly treat hemorrhoidal tissue, but because they help prevent and relieve constipation—a major risk factor and aggravating factor for hemorrhoids. Chronic straining during bowel movements and hard stools increase pressure on the rectal veins, leading to or exacerbating hemorrhoids. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that prunes are effective in increasing stool frequency and improving stool consistency in people with constipation. For example, a 2011 randomized controlled trial published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics showed that consuming prunes was more effective than psyllium in improving stool frequency and consistency in constipated individuals. By promoting regular, soft bowel movements, prunes can reduce straining and thereby indirectly support the management and prevention of hemorrhoids. While prunes are not a direct treatment for hemorrhoidal tissue, their role in alleviating constipation is well established and forms the scientific basis for their use in this context.

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