Does Ensure Affect Your Bowels? Understanding the Digestive Impact

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, millions of people experience digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. As a nutritional supplement, it's common for people to wonder, "Does Ensure affect your bowels?" The answer is yes, Ensure can impact your bowel movements, with potential side effects ranging from constipation to diarrhea, depending on the individual's sensitivity and the specific product formula.

Quick Summary

Ensure can cause digestive changes such as constipation or diarrhea, influenced by ingredients like lactose and sweeteners, as well as fiber content and consumption habits. Underlying conditions like intolerance can also increase side effect sensitivity. Many users find that symptoms subside with consistent use as their body adjusts, but adjusting intake or product type may be necessary.

Key Points

Diarrhea is possible: Ingredients like lactose and artificial sweeteners can cause diarrhea in some people, particularly with high intake or if they have pre-existing sensitivities.
Constipation can occur: Replacing high-fiber solid foods with low-fiber Ensure variants and not drinking enough plain water can contribute to constipation.
Choose wisely: Selecting the right Ensure product is key. Options with added fiber can help with constipation, while lactose-free or plant-based versions are available for those with milk sensitivities.
Start slowly: Your body may need time to adjust to the concentrated nutrients. Introducing Ensure gradually can minimize initial gastrointestinal upset like gas and bloating.
Consult a doctor: Persistent or severe digestive issues related to Ensure should be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially if you have an underlying GI condition like IBS.
Stay hydrated: Consuming enough plain water is critical for digestive health and to prevent constipation, even when drinking liquid supplements.
Symptoms may improve: For many, initial digestive side effects are temporary and subside as the body gets used to the supplement.

How Ensure Can Affect Bowels: The Dual Impact

For many, Ensure serves as a convenient source of balanced nutrition, especially for those with increased protein and calorie needs, like older adults or individuals recovering from illness. However, its concentrated formula of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats can alter a person's digestive system, sometimes leading to uncomfortable side effects. The resulting bowel changes are not universal; some people may experience constipation, while others might deal with diarrhea or bloating. This is influenced by factors such as an individual's pre-existing gut health, the specific type of Ensure consumed, and how it is integrated into their diet.

Potential Causes of Diarrhea from Ensure

Several factors within Ensure's formulation and a person's physiology can contribute to loose stools or diarrhea:

Lactose Intolerance: Many standard Ensure products contain milk protein concentrate, which includes lactose. Lactose intolerance, where the body struggles to digest lactose sugar, can increase with age and is a common cause of gas, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming milk-based products. For those sensitive to lactose, this can be a primary driver of digestive distress.
Artificial Sweeteners: Some Ensure varieties contain artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and corn maltodextrin. These can have a laxative effect, especially when consumed in large quantities, and may contribute to diarrhea in sensitive individuals.
Sudden High Intake: A rapid increase in the consumption of any concentrated nutritional supplement can overwhelm the digestive system. The digestive tract needs time to adjust to the new blend of nutrients, and a sudden surge can lead to a bout of diarrhea or general upset.
Fat and Sugar Content: Certain high-calorie nutritional shakes contain a higher proportion of sugar and fat. In some cases, this concentration can lead to diarrhea as the body struggles to absorb all the nutrients at once.

Potential Causes of Constipation from Ensure

While diarrhea is a possibility, constipation is also a noted side effect, especially in certain circumstances:

Low Fiber Content: Some versions of Ensure, like the standard formula, contain a relatively small amount of fiber. If Ensure is used to replace solid, whole-food meals that are rich in dietary fiber, the overall reduction in fiber intake can lead to constipation.
Inadequate Hydration: While Ensure is a liquid, it does not replace a person's overall need for water. A shift away from plain water to relying primarily on supplements can lead to dehydration, which is a major contributor to hard, difficult-to-pass stools.
Reduced Activity Level: People who are consuming Ensure due to illness or recovery may also have a corresponding decrease in physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle is a well-known cause of slowed bowel movements and constipation.

Managing Digestive Side Effects and Choosing the Right Product

For most people, digestive issues from Ensure are manageable or will subside with time and proper usage. Taking proactive steps can help alleviate discomfort and ensure you are getting the nutritional benefits without the negative side effects.

How to Manage Digestive Side Effects

Start Gradually: Introduce Ensure into your diet slowly to give your digestive system time to adapt. Begin with a smaller serving size and observe how your body reacts before increasing the amount.
Choose the Right Formula: If you are prone to constipation, consider a version of Ensure with added fiber. If lactose intolerance is an issue, a lactose-free or plant-based formula might be a better choice.
Stay Hydrated: Always drink plenty of water throughout the day, in addition to your Ensure shake. Hydration is crucial for healthy bowel function.
Avoid Overreliance: While Ensure is a supplement, it should not replace a balanced diet entirely unless advised by a healthcare professional. A diet with a variety of fiber-rich whole foods is essential for optimal gut health.
Monitor and Adjust: Pay attention to your body's response. If side effects like bloating, gas, or stomach cramps persist, try reducing your intake or switching to a different flavor or formula.
Consult a Professional: If digestive problems continue or are severe, it is best to speak with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend the best course of action. This is especially important for those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions like IBS or IBD.

Comparison of Ensure Product Fiber Content

Understanding the fiber content of different Ensure products can help in managing bowel movements. This table offers a quick comparison of some popular options:


Ensure Product	Calories	Protein	Fiber	Noteworthy Information
Ensure Original	~220	~9g	<1g	Low fiber; relies on corn maltodextrin for carbs.
Ensure Original with Fiber	~220	~9g	3-4g	Contains added fiber to support digestive health.
Ensure Plus with Fiber	~350	~16g	3g	Higher calorie option with fiber for digestive health.
Ensure Max Protein	~150	~30g	4g	High protein, lower sugar, with added fiber.
Ensure Plant-Based Protein	~180	~20g	5g	Dairy-free, lactose-free, and higher fiber option.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of whether Ensure affects your bowels has a nuanced answer. While Ensure is a valuable nutritional supplement, it's not without potential digestive side effects like constipation or diarrhea. These effects are often tied to ingredients like lactose and artificial sweeteners, the formula's fiber content, and a person's individual sensitivity. By starting with small amounts, choosing the appropriate product for your needs, staying well-hydrated, and consulting a healthcare professional when necessary, most individuals can manage and minimize any adverse impact on their bowel health. For more information on the potential side effects and benefits of Ensure, you can review details on Abbott Nutrition's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Ensure can cause both. Factors like lactose intolerance and artificial sweeteners may lead to diarrhea, while low fiber content in some versions and inadequate hydration can contribute to constipation.

Ingredients that can affect bowels include milk protein concentrate (which contains lactose), artificial sweeteners like maltodextrin and sorbitol, and varying levels of dietary fiber.

To prevent diarrhea, start by consuming small amounts and gradually increase your intake. If you are lactose intolerant, try a lactose-free or plant-based version. Drinking adequate water is also important.

Some Ensure products are specifically formulated with added fiber to support digestive health and regularity. Check for products labeled 'with Fiber' to get this benefit, as standard formulas may have minimal fiber.

Yes, lactose intolerance can be a common cause, especially among older adults, and can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea from milk proteins in the product.

Many people find that initial gastrointestinal side effects, such as bloating or mild upset, subside after a few days of consistent use as their body adjusts to the supplement.

You should consult a healthcare provider if you experience persistent or severe digestive problems, such as ongoing diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, or any other concerning symptoms.