This Holiday Season Don’t Let Digestive Discomfort Get You Down! 

Michelle Harris Shares Tips
for Healthy Holidays!

A new survey has revealed a majority of Americans are dreading what their favorite holiday foods
and drinks will do to their gut.

–The poll of 2,000 US adults found 72% of people look forward to the food around the holiday season,
but 65% admit this is the worst time of year for their diet .

–During the holiday season, 75% find themselves eating more often throughout the day and
76% find their eating habits also changing more often throughout the day than any other time
of year.

Over half (51%) said they “often” or “always” feel like they ate too much food during the holidays.
As a result, many are left with occasional constipation (56%), indigestion (49%) & acid reflux (45%).
Almost as many (48%) said the changes to their routines and eating habits during the holidays
affect their experiences with occasional constipation.

The study, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by naturally-based laxative brand Prunelax  made with natural senna and dried prune extracts*, revealed 93% experience occasional constipation — 43% experience it
“often” or “all the time.”

Seventy percent of respondents said it happens more frequently during the holiday
season and 69% said it also happens more while traveling for the holidays.
Turkey (44%), pecan pie (41%) and potatoes (39%) were found to be the biggest
culprits to blame for people’s occasional constipation. It was also caused by favorite
holiday beverages, like chocolate milk (45%), non-alcoholic eggnog (38%) and hot
cocoa (38%).

“We see that holiday foods, especially foods we do not eat very often, combined
with travel and holiday stress may lead to digestive distress” said Michelle Harris,
lifestyle expert and host of the wellness lifestyle television series, Alive &Well
(airing on USA TODAY and in national television syndication).
.

“On these occasions, it’s always better to turn to natural-based solutions that you
can take with you on the go.”

The survey also found two-thirds (67%) of Americans are concerned about holiday
meals causing them digestive discomfort. Seven in 10 said they spend more time in
the bathroom during the holiday season than any other time of year, thanks to the
discomfort they experience.

To help avoid it, 51% will frequently take some sort of aid before eating: drinking
more water (53%), taking acid reflux medication (47%) or eating more fiber
(45%). A quarter (27%) will also try naturally-based laxatives.

“Above all else, the best thing you can do for your body is listen to it,” says Dr,
Marjorie Marin, medical director at Prunelax.. “Not paying attention to how your
body is processing holiday meals can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Listen to
your body and take the necessary measures to prevent digestive discomfort before
it happens.”

TOP 10 FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE OCCASIONAL CONSTIPATION
Turkey – 44%
Pecan pie – 41%
Potatoes – 39%
Chocolate – 33%
Pumpkin pie – 31%
Fudge – 23%
Sugary candies – 18%
Stuffing – 13%
Ham – 9%
Rack of lamb – 8%

TOP 10 BEVERAGES THAT CAN CAUSE OCCASIONAL CONSTIPATION

Chocolate milk – 45%

Non-alcoholic eggnog – 38%
Hot cocoa/hot chocolate – 38%

Espresso martinis – 32%
Alcoholic eggnog – 30%
Peppermint martinis – 26%
Mochas – 13%
Peppermint mochas – 12%
Gingerbread lattes – 9%
Brown ales – 7%

Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Prunelax between October 30 and October 31, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

About Michelle Harris:

MICHELLE HARRIS is a wellness and lifestyle expert and the host of Alive &Well with Michelle Harris, a nationally syndicated TV series which also airs on the USA TODAY NETWORK with a focus on the wellness lifestyle. Michelle is
one of the media’s leading lifestyle experts and is a frequent guest on TV news and morning shows, radio shows, magazine interviews, red carpets and live events. Michelle is also the co-founder of Animal Angels, a non-profit advocacy group where celebrities promote pet health and adoptions
.
IG @michelleharris_tv
Alive Well TV website: www.aliveandwell.tv