Olive oil is thought to have laxative properties because it coats and smoothens the insides of your bowels, making for an easier flow of waste. Additionally, this Mediterranean-diet oil could help your poop hold on to water, giving it softness, once again making for easier passage through your system. According to South Florida chiropractor Alan Mandell, who goes by the name motivationaldoc on his social media platforms, olive oil’s laxative nature is due to its fat content (mostly monounsaturated fats) and this poop hack can help adults who have constipation. However, it’s not recommended for infants and children.
According to a 2014 four-week, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition, olive oil and flaxseed oil proved to be as effective as mineral oil in the treatment of constipation in individuals undergoing hemodialysis.
As for how often you should be pooping, constipation is classified as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. If your poop is hard and dry, you’re straining to go (which is not recommended), and you feel like you’ve not emptied out all of your poop, these can be signs of constipation too.
Your diet plays a part in constipation. For example, a lack of sufficient fiber, consuming a lot of high-fat or processed foods, and not drinking enough water can contribute to this condition. Leading a largely physically inactive lifestyle and changes to your routine (like travel plans) can also mess with your bowel movements. Sometimes, your constipation could be a result of medications or underlying health conditions like a spinal cord injury or irritable bowel syndrome.