Does coconut cause constipation? Wow! This is fascinating!

[OHmidwife]

My 21 mo old has constipation issues and I don't know if I should avoid coconut products (oil, milk, or shedded coconut) for him or not. Will coconut make constipation better, worse, or no effect?

Thanks!

[OHmidwife]

Bump!

[RidentMama]

According to the Coconut Research Center

In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.

And here is an article on Coconut Oil and Constipation.

ETA: Yes, it was the title that caught my eye! LOL

[Ruthla]

Oily foods tend to "lubricate" the bowels and releive constipation.

Of course, individuals react differently to various foods- allergies/sensitivities can manifest themselves as constipation, diarhea, or in non-GI ways. If you find that your child gets constipation from coconut products, then stop feeding them to him!