Attention to anyone who deals with regular constipation: There is yet another reason to head to the produce section of the grocery store. A new study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology (AJG) found that eating two kiwi fruits per day increased the frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements. The fruit was also able to reduce gastrointestinal pain for people with functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C).
How Do Kiwis Help Relieve Constipation?
The study aimed to compare the benefits of consuming six grams of dietary fiber through the consumption of two skinless kiwi fruits and taking a 7.5-gram dose of psyllium. If you are unaware, psyllium is a common supplement used to relieve constipation. The participants in the study either had functional constipation, IBS-C, healthy controls, or a combination of these. Each participant took one of the two interventions for four weeks. After the first four weeks with one intervention, there was a four-week break, followed by another intervention for another four weeks.Â
According to study authors, consuming two green kiwi fruits per day resulted in an increase of at least 1.5 completely spontaneous bowel movements in people with constipation. Only the participants with IBS-C experienced an increase of 1.25 completely spontaneous bowel movements after taking psyllium. That said, those same participants saw significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms when taking psyllium. Researchers, however, did observe improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms for all groups consuming kiwi fruits.
Were There Limitations In The Study?
Researchers noted that study limitations included participants’ adherence to the intervention, the food they ate, self-reporting, and details of bowel movements. The study was also small, only including 184 people. The study still builds on previous research that indicated the kiwi’s ability to benefit those with constipation. For example, a 2022 review found that green and gold kiwis, in addition to kiwi supplements, positively affected upper gastrointestinal health.
Prior research from a 2018 review attributed kiwi fruit’s gut health benefits to the naturally-occurring dietary fiber and actinidin, a proteolytic enzyme. This enzyme works to ease protein digestion in the small intestine and stomach. Researchers from the recent AJG study acknowledged these previous reviews and studies, and claimed that they were building upon this existing research. With the previous clinical trials involving kiwi fruit and the recent study, it is safe to say that consuming two green kiwi fruits daily is safe and potentially effective treatment for constipation in those with gastrointestinal disorders.Â
What Should You Know About Fiber And Constipation?
There is an increasing amount of evidence detailing various methods, whether natural or not, to help improve symptoms of constipation. A 2017 review found that IBS can cause serious abdominal discomfort, constipation, and bloating. A 2021 review noted that IBS affects about 7-16% of the U.S. population, and it is most common in women and younger people. Unlike IBS, functional constipation does not always cause abdominal pain; however, it does cause infrequent bowel movements.Â
Fiber is a key player when it comes to the management of IBS and functional constipation. It may also help lower a person’s cholesterol and reduce the risk of other diseases, including colon cancer and diabetes. But how much fiber do you need in order to establish regular bowel movements?Â
The National Academies recommends that men consume at least 38 grams of fiber per day, while women should consume 25 to 28 grams per day. The sad reality is that the average American adult only consumes about 16 grams of fiber per day. One could argue, then, that the lack of fiber consumption in this country contributes to the constipation problem. You also have to take into account the different foods, such as processed foods, saturated fats, deli meats, and more, that cause constipation.
If you want to include more fiber in your diet, consider focusing on nuts, beans, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. These foods will not only help you meet your daily fiber requirements, but also provide you with a wide variety of nutrients that promote overall health. Eat a kiwi fruit, nay, eat two kiwi fruits per day to increase your fiber intake and regulate bowel movements!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
