Medication, unbalanced diet, low physical activity, travel, stress… Several factors can cause occasional or chronic constipation. It is when stools do not progress through the colon quickly enough, resulting in infrequent and overly hard bowel movements. Constipation is often associated with a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, cramps and abdominal bloating.
Constipation: 184 adults consumed kiwi fruit or psyllium
To relieve it, the doctor prescribes lifestyle and dietary rules for the patient. If these do not work, he may prescribe laxatives. Recently, an international team of researchers found another solution to combat this digestive disorder, which can have a real impact on quality of life. In a study published in the journal The American Journal of Gastroenterologyscientists have shown that eating kiwi fruit can be effective against constipation.
“Previous research has reported improved gastrointestinal comfort” after eating green kiwis, they wrote. To study the effect of these fruits on gastrointestinal function and comfort, the authors recruited 63 healthy people, 60 adults with constipation, and 61 patients with irritable bowel syndrome. They were randomly assigned. For four weeks, every day, some had to eat two green kiwis, which are rich in fiber, or 7.5 g of psyllium, a plant known for its regularization of transit.
Two kiwis a day to increase stool frequency
According to the results, the consumption of two kiwis per day was associated with an increase in stool frequency. In addition, the stools of the volunteers were softer. These fruits also reduced pain and improved gastrointestinal comfort in constipated participants. According to the authors, the kiwi can help fight against constipation, because once in the body, its fibers swell with water. This causes the stool to soften and increase in volume.