First evidence-based dietary guidelines for chronic constipation

A multidisciplinary team of UK researchers has published the first evidence based dietary guidelines for adults with chronic constipation, identifying specific foods and supplements that appear to relieve symptoms while noting important gaps in the evidence. The guidance, based on four systematic reviews of 75 randomized controlled trials and resulting in 59 recommendation statements, was published jointly in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology and Motility and is endorsed by the British Dietetic Association.

The guidelines single out several interventions with measurable benefit. Regular consumption of kiwifruit, typically two to three a day for at least four weeks, was associated with improved bowel frequency and reduced abdominal discomfort in trials. Psyllium fiber supplements at about 10 grams or more per day were shown to soften stool, increase frequency and lessen straining. Magnesium oxide supplements reduced bloating and abdominal pain and improved stool frequency and consistency, with recommended starting doses around 0.5 grams daily and gradual increases to about 1.5 grams where tolerated. Drinking mineral rich water, in amounts...