Abstract
Functional gastrointestinal disorders including constipation affect up to 14% of the world's population. Treatment is difficult and challenging resulting in a need for alternative safe and effective therapies. The present study investigated whether daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit could alleviate constipation and improve gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated individuals with and without pain. A total of thirty-two participants were enrolled in a 16-week randomised, single-blind, crossover study. Participants received either three 'Zesy002' kiwifruit or 14·75 g Metamucil® (5 g dietary fibre/d (a positive control)) for 4 weeks each with a 4-week washout between treatments. A 2-week washout period was included at the beginning and end of the study. Daily bowel habit diaries were kept throughout the study. The primary outcome measure was differences in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM). Secondary outcome measures were bowel movement frequency and stool form as well as digestive symptoms and comfort. The number of CSBM per week was significantly greater during daily consumption of three kiwifruit compared with the baseline (6·3 v. 3·3; P < 0·05) and the Metamucil® treatment (6·3 v. 4·5; P < 0·05). Stool consistency was also improved, with kiwifruit producing softer stools and less straining (P < 0·05). Gastrointestinal discomfort was also improved compared with baseline for abdominal pain, constipation and indigestion (P < 0·05) during the kiwifruit intervention and constipation during the Metamucil® intervention (P < 0·05). This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit is associated with a significant increase of two CSBM per week and reduction in gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated adults.
Highlights
Functional gastrointestinal disorders including constipation affect up to 14 % of the world’s population
The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-SSI questionnaire (Table 2) was included for all participants at screening to maintain equitable treatment of all participants. Those with irritable bowel syndrome complicated with constipation (IBS-C) reported experiencing abdominal pain and tended to have greater abdominal distention than those with functional constipation (FC) that are not symptoms generally associated with the FC condition[4]
Single-blind, controlled trial the daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit was associated with an increase of greater than two complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week when compared with not consuming kiwifruit and of greater than one CSBM when compared with Metamucil®
Summary
Functional gastrointestinal disorders including constipation affect up to 14 % of the world’s population. Gastrointestinal discomfort was improved compared with baseline for abdominal pain, constipation and indigestion (P < 0·05) during the kiwifruit intervention and constipation during the Metamucil® intervention (P < 0·05) This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit is associated with a significant increase of two CSBM per week and reduction in gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated adults. Previous clinical trials investigating the performance of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit in healthy individuals as well as in older persons, constipated and IBS-C populations showed significant improvements relating to digestive health, including increased faecal frequency and reductions in bowel transit times as well as positive changes in overall wellbeing[16,17,18]. Higher in vitamin C (160 v. 85 mg/100 g) and contains similar concentrations of other vitamins (such as folate), phytochemicals and minerals, making it a valuable nutrient-dense food[19]
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