New dietary guidelines recommend eating 2-3 kiwifruits daily to help relieve chronic constipation, highlighting the fruit's benefits in increasing stool bulk, improving digestion, and its ease of incorporation into the diet, alongside other foods and lifestyle changes.
New evidence-based dietary guidelines from the British Dietetic Association recommend foods like kiwis, rye bread, magnesium supplements, and probiotics to naturally relieve chronic constipation, emphasizing food-based management over medication to improve bowel regularity and quality of life.
New evidence-based dietary guidelines from the British Dietetic Association recommend kiwis, rye bread, probiotics, magnesium supplements, and high mineral-content water to help manage chronic constipation, emphasizing personalized treatment and the limited evidence for high-fiber diets specifically for constipation relief.
A study from Mass General Brigham found that Mediterranean and plant-based diets may help prevent chronic constipation in middle- and older-age adults, independent of fiber intake, highlighting the importance of healthy eating patterns for gut health beyond cardiovascular benefits.
Researchers have found a link between chronic constipation and cognitive decline, suggesting that individuals who have fewer bowel movements may experience poorer cognitive function. The study analyzed data from over 112,000 participants and found that those who had bowel movements every three or more days had significantly worse cognition, equivalent to 3.0 years more of cognitive aging. The study also revealed that individuals with specific microbial profiles in the gut, characterized by more bacteria causing inflammation and fewer bacteria responsible for digesting dietary fibers, had less frequent bowel movements and worse cognitive function. The researchers emphasize the importance of discussing gut health, particularly constipation, with older patients and recommend adopting a healthy diet rich in high-fiber and high-polyphenol foods, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in regular physical activity.