Green Kiwifruit May Provide Relief for Patients with Chronic Constipation Especially if Psyllium or Prunes Cause Pain, Cramping or Bloating

Oral 5 Randomized, Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Green Kiwifruit, Psyllium, or Prunes in U.S. Patients with Chronic Constipation

Author Insight from Samuel Chey, MPH, University of Michigan Health System

What’s new here and important for clinicians?

While prunes and psyllium are well-known treatments for chronic constipation in the United States, non-Western countries also use green kiwifruit to treat the condition. No US data existed on the effectiveness of green kiwifruit in treating constipation. Our study found that consuming two green kiwifruit per day benefited patients with constipation, simiarly to treatment with prunes or psyllium. Additionally, kiwifruit caused fewer adverse side effects such as pain, cramping, and bloating, compared to prunes and psyllium. This presents the first US data that green kiwifruit is a natural treatment option that physicians can consider when treating patients with chronic constipation.

What do patients need to know?

Patients who experience chronic constipation may benefit from green kiwifruit as an additional natural treatment for their condition, particularly if they experience symptoms like pain, cramping, and bloating from treatment with prunes or psyllium.

Author:

Gastro Girl News Team
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