They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Butt one chick on Instagram says an orange a day keeps constipation at bay. Did she really find the cure for clogged pipes, or is she full of sh*t?
Back in December 2022, Instagrammer @lilsipper posted her step-by-step “cure” for constipation, which involved devouring an entire orange (including the peel) seasoned with spices. However, she recently reposted the video and went viral, racking up nearly 30 million views.
“We’re all human and do the same thing,” says Bethany (the woman behind the account). “But sometimes we need Mother Nature to literally help us along.”
When this constipation hack came across our radar at DUDE HQ, we knew we needed to launch a full investigation. In this article, we analyze whether oranges can really clear you out and share testimonies from some successful poopers.
How to Do the Viral Orange Trick for Constipation
If you want to try attempt this viral constipation hack, here’s what you’ll need:
- One organic orange
- Knife for slicing
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- DUDE Wipes (okay, we added that ourselves)
Once you’ve got your supplies handy, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Wash the orange
- Slice the orange into wedges
- Coat each orange wedge generously with cinnamon and cayenne pepper
- Eat the entire orange—including the peel
- Wait 5-10 minutes
- Take a dump
“It works about 95% of the time,” she explains.
Do Oranges Make You Poop?
This zesty concoction seems like a cheap, fast, easy trick to trigger a bowel movement—but will it really work?
Bethany points out that oranges contain naringenin, a flavonoid shown to help with constipation and produce a laxative effect, according to research from 2008. She also notes that cayenne pepper and cinnamon contain capsaicin, which triggers your TRVP1 receptors in the mouth and throughout your gastrointestinal tract—kickstarting your colon to churn out a sloppy deuce.
Unlike some of the other poop hacks we’ve seen, this one isn’t total B.S. For instance, oranges are packed with fiber and water, both of which are essential for constipation relief. That said, the fiber you get from oranges isn’t anything special compared to the fiber you’d get from an apple, blueberries, or prunes.
It’s also worth noting that an orange with its peel only contains 7 grams of fiber, which likely isn’t enough to send you sprinting to the toilet immediately.
“For a person prone to constipation, there is no way that eating a high-fiber food is going to produce immediate effects.” Danielle VenHuizen, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and owner of Food Sense Nutrition, told Health. “That’s just not how fiber works.”
And what about all that cinnamon and cayenne?
Both spices are indeed loaded with capsaicin, which can rev up your intestines. But it can also trigger some brutal tummy troubles—especially if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Is It Safe to Eat Orange Peels?
If the idea of gnawing on an orange peel makes you gag, you’re not alone.
Orange peels are generally safe for adults to eat. The main reason people avoid them is because they’re annoying AF to chew and swallow. Chowing down on the peel can cause some people to get an upset stomach, so you may want to start with just a nibble first.
Pro tip: Orange peels can be covered with pesticides or bacteria, so make sure you give them a good scrub before digging in.
Meet the People Who Tried Curing Their Constipation with Oranges
There aren’t any scientific studies to determine whether spiced oranges can indeed unclog your colon. So we went to the next best place: Instagram comments.
Let’s take a look at some testimonies from folks who attempted the viral orange trick...
“I tried this and unfortunately projectile vomited.”
“I tried it yesterday. Had to hold milk in my mouth for a long time afterward to get the heat out…never had to go to the bathroom. It may work for some people but it did not work for me.”
“The absolute worst experience and it did not relieve my constipation!”
“I tried this and it didn’t work. Just burned the hell out of my mouth.”
It’s tough to tell whether Bethany should take the blame for this collective lack of bowel movements. After all, the science is on her side. Maybe these people are just better off chugging a cup of black coffee or popping a laxative instead of force-feeding this citrus-and-spice combo.
Clean Your Deuces with DUDE Wipes
If you’re at the grocery store grabbing oranges to wage war with constipation, make a detour to the TP aisle and get a pack of DUDE Wipes. When you finally coax that brown snake out of your crack, sandy two-ply is the last thing you’ll want to wipe down your sensitive sides.
If you’re gonna burn your b-hole with cayenne pepper, extinguish the flames with the cooling, soothing sensation of a Mint Chill Wipe. You’ll thank us later.
