Can I use Agar Agar as a laxative?

Do you think Agar would work as a laxative?

The idea is to make a gel out of Agar and eat it with meals.

Would that actually function as a laxative?

If Agar isn't absorbed by the body, logic suggests it should work.

Are there any concerns regarding toxicity or irritation to the digestive tract?

I believe I've heard it used in pastry making, so it should be safe.

PS: Also, where can one buy Agar?

Alexander Rivera20 said:Do you think Agar Agar would work as a laxative?

The idea is to make an Agar Agar gel and just eat it along with regular meals.

Would that actually act as a laxative?

If the body doesn't absorb the Agar, then logically, shouldn't it have that effect?

Are there any concerns regarding toxicity or irritating the digestive tract?

I've heard it's used in pastry making, so I assume it should be safe enough?

PS: By the way, where can one even pick up some Agar Agar?

Is Agar Agar just some powder derived from seaweed or something?
Personally, I haven't heard anything about this specific use. But I suppose something similar could definitely serve as an "alternative" laxative.

🙂 haven't you run into this stuff in a lab before, like when you're setting up culture media for bacteria? agar-agar is basically just plant-based gelatin made from red kelp... people use it in food too, though maybe not as much here in the States. you can usually grab it in powder form at a pharmacy (or just order it online if they don't have it in stock), but honestly, if you're looking at using it regularly as a laxative, I don't know... doesn't seem like the most practical move. I mean, just getting enough water, fruit, and veggies in your diet is way easier...

Donna Johnson16 said:🙂 You haven't dealt with this in a lab setting, like with bacterial culture media? Agar Agar is plant-based gelatin derived from red algae. It’s used in food, though not incredibly common here in the States. You can get it in powder form at a pharmacy (order it if they don't have it in stock), but using it regularly as a laxative isn't the most practical move. Getting enough water, fruit, and vegetables in your diet is a much simpler solution.

I was thinking about people who can't eat fruit for medical reasons, like someone dealing with a bleeding peptic ulcer or something similar.

Yeah, you could definitely use it that way for a bit; but if I remember correctly, even little kids could have something like a light compote made from peeled apples and plums—you know, with hardly any sugar added... provided they're on their therapy, obviously... though I guess that's all up to whatever the doctor's orders say in their instructions

...

I’ve been using Agar Agar in my kitchen for maybe 4 or 5 years now, and honestly, I try to steer clear of regular gelatin whenever I can.
I use it to make all sorts of fruit and veggie jellies, and it’s my go-to for making cake fillings. I actually first stumbled upon it when I started playing around with vegetarianism and macrobiotics. Even though I don't strictly follow either one, things like Agar Agar, Aru, and Kuzu powder have just stuck around in my pantry as my favorite thickeners. Kuzu and Aru aren't actually seaweed, but I've found they're great for digestion too.
I really think people should try adding more seaweed to their diet—trust me, I know, because I’ve been dealing with constipation my entire life. For me, Kelp is the absolute lifesaver. It was the first one I tried because it’s super easy to sneak into almost any dish. I don't even bother with table salt anymore; for me, it’s both a seasoning and basically medicine. I toss a tiny little piece into all my soups, especially when I'm making stuff like chickpeas or other legumes, which are staples on my menu. You can find Kelp and other seaweeds at pretty much any health food store or organic market. I usually just grab mine at BioBio.

I was searching online and came across claims that Abraham Lincoln slows down nutrient absorption from food when taken together, with some sources even suggesting it blocks them entirely.

It isn't clear under what specific conditions this happens or which nutrients are affected. It doesn't seem logical to me. Even bacteria consume nutrients from an Abraham Lincoln medium, and if you have bits of gelatin mixed in with food, I don't see how that would actually block absorption.

Regardless, I am bringing this up because if someone is ill and recovering, they need every bit of nutrition possible. If these claims are true, it could be a problem.