why do prunes make you go to the loo?

[glenis]

why is it that prunes make you go to the loo ,but if you ate a large bag of plums they would not have the same effect?

[Clanad]

Prunes have always been valued as a laxative, because as well as being a great source of fibre they also contain sorbitol and some organic acids that stimulate the large bowel.Though not as potent as dried prunes, fresh plums work well as a laxative. Plums also contain antibacterial and antiviral compounds.

It seems the sorbitol is concentrated when the plums are dried to make prunes...

 (From a natural health website)...

[Rabelais]

Prunes and figs contain large amounts of both fructose and sortbitol, both of these sugars are poorly absorbed in the gut. These unabsorbed sugars act osmotically to prevent water removal from feacal matter leading to softer stools and faster gut transit times. As prunes are dried, the sugar is more concentrated leading to a great effect but plums (and most fresh fruit) are also laxative in nature.

[woofgang]

well I don't know about you but if i ate a large bag of plums, it would definitely have a similar effect!!

[smudge]

A glass of prune juice a day, keeps constipation at bay!

[Mowbray]

I once ate a bag of plums and I was on the loo for the rest of the day!

[sandijayne79]

Yesterday I ate an entire 12oz can of dried prunes and nothing has happened what is wrong with me then cause I should have become very friendly with the loo and yet nothing. Do prunes not always work then?