Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints in the United States and is often times looked at as a nuisance. However, the reality is that it is a serious condition that comes from both physical and mental unbalances. It is because of this that constipation represents a serious condition and warning you should never ignore. The problem is many of us are left with our own thoughts wondering where to start to find constipation relief.

Finding relief to your constipation is actually as simple as changing what you eat as well as living a healthy and active lifestyle. The best cures for constipation are not found in a drug store but instead on the shelves of your local grocery store. Foods you eat everyday work the best and the fastest towards relief. Here are little known constipation cures found in every home on your block:

• One way to rid yourself of constipation is try to eat close to six ounces of grain products every day. This would include foods like cereals, breads, and starchy vegetables such as corn, green peas, or potatoes. Whole grains commonly found in whole-wheat bread and whole-grain cereal are loaded in fiber which is what you are looking for when constipated. When shopping for cereals, look on the labels to be sure that it has more than five or six grams of fiber per serving. Maybe high fiber cereals aren't for you. If that's the case mix a little bit of it into your normal bowl of cereal. This way you're at least getting some amount of high fiber.

• Have a cup of coffee to get your bowels moving. What makes coffee so good for relieving constipation is its bitterness. Coffee along with all bitter-tasting foods work to stimulate the digestive tract. If coffee isn't your thing, I recommend trying Oregon grape. This herb along with some of its root cousins like barberry have been used to deal with constipation since since ancient times. You don't really want to eat it straight up but actually mix half a teaspoon in a glass of water so you can sip it.

• I know fruits and vegetables are great for you and come with so many different benefits to your body but did you know that easing constipation is one of them? They will as long as you try to eat about five servings daily. I try to eat a wide variety of different kinds with some of my favorites being apples, berries, oranges, carrots, tomatoes, and cauliflower. Another good way to be sure you're getting the right amount of fruit in your diet is to try and skip the juices if you can get the whole produce instead. You'll enjoy much more of a fiber benefit by doing so.

• Honey may be the best tasting laxative on this list. While mild in its potency, it will still do its job as long as you a tablespoon three times a day, either by itself or mixed in with warm water. Don't forget that honey is a high concentrate sugar and is up there in calories, so use it sparingly as an occasional laxative.

• Finally, my last piece of advice is to drink plenty of water. You can never go wrong with drinking water. It holds countless health benefits and relieving constipation is just one of them. Eight glasses of water a day not will vastly improves your overall health, but also moisten your intestines allowing your bowels to move easily.