what makes prunes a natural laxative?
Like fiber, sorbitol soaks up water wherever it can find it. While many fruits contain some sorbitol, most only have a small amount, usually less than one percent. Prunes on the other hand have about fifteen percent sorbitol, part of what makes prunes so great at bulking up stools and helping to relieve constipation. The third part of prunes that make them a great laxative food is dihydroxyphenyl isatin, which helps to stimulate the intestines and make them contract.