Summary
Experts have created new dietary guidelines to help manage chronic constipation, moving beyond the general advice to just eat more fiber. A team from King’s College London reviewed over 75 studies and provided 59 dietary recommendations, highlighting foods like psyllium, kiwifruit, and prunes. These guidelines offer evidence-based advice for improving symptoms through diet rather than relying solely on medication.
Key Facts
- Chronic constipation affects about 9 to 20 percent of adults in the U.S.
- Researchers from King’s College London reviewed over 75 clinical trials.
- They developed 59 dietary guideline statements specifically for constipation.
- Common advice like "eat more fiber" does not have strong proof of effectiveness.
- Psyllium, a fiber supplement, can help with constipation.
- Foods like kiwifruit and prunes may ease constipation symptoms.
- The new guidelines also highlight the benefits of certain probiotics and magnesium oxide.
- Drinking water high in minerals can improve constipation symptoms.
