Home » Health » Plums, kiwis or fiber? Which constipation remedies actually work best? – Health

Plums, kiwis or fiber? Which constipation remedies actually work best? – Health

Chronic constipation affects about 20% of Belgians for whom the daily toileting often ends in agony. Natural remedies such as prunes, psyllium fibers and kiwis can help combat the complaints, but which of the three gives the best results and the most comfort?

Chronic constipation is one of the most common bowel problems. This is when you can have bowel movements less than three times a week for at least three months, you have to strain hard or have hard stools in more than a quarter of the cases. People with chronic constipation also often feel that the bowels have not been completely emptied after going to the toilet.

Comparing study

Psyllium husks and prunes have previously been shown to be effective in treating chronic constipation. Kiwis have long been popular in Asia as a digestive aid. However, there was still a lack of scientific studies demonstrating the effect of the fruit on intestinal activity. American scientists changed this and compared the effect of the three foods in patients with chronic constipation. The participants were divided into three groups of which the first received 100 grams of pitted plums every day, the second 12 grams of psyllium fiber and the last 2 green kiwis.

© Getty Images/Luxy

After 4 weeks of treatment, all participants reported a similar positive effect on digestion, but there were some differences. Their bowel movements all increased compared to the initial situation. The plum eaters recorded the highest increase, followed by the fiber group and the kiwi eaters. The researchers also saw another improvement in the fruit-eaters (plums and kiwis). This also made the stool softer, which was not the case with the psyllium fibres. The unpleasant feeling that the intestines are not completely empty also decreased in all participants.

Satisfaction

Kiwi eaters noted significantly less discomfort from bloating. This group also suffered by far the least from unwanted side effects. One of the most striking differences the researchers uncovered was satisfaction with their treatment. The kiwis score remarkably well here. Almost 7 out of 10 participants from the kiwi group feel good about it and tolerate the approach, while this is much lower for the plum and psyllium group. This satisfaction is not unimportant since chronic constipation requires long-term treatment.

Water

All three means are therefore useful in tackling long-term constipation, but the role of water should not be forgotten either. Fibers have a relieving effect due to their swelling effect, but you must also drink enough water at the time of intake of the fibers. Drinking water throughout the day will mainly make you pee a lot, but not immediately improve bowel movements.

Chronic constipation is one of the most common bowel problems. This is when you can have bowel movements less than three times a week for at least three months, you have to strain hard or have hard stools in more than a quarter of the cases. People with chronic constipation also often feel that the bowels are not completely emptied after going to the toilet. Psyllium husks and prunes have been shown to work well in the treatment of chronic constipation. Kiwis have long been popular in Asia as a digestive aid. However, there was still a lack of scientific studies demonstrating the effect of the fruit on intestinal activity. American scientists changed this and compared the effect of the three foods in patients with chronic constipation. The participants were divided into three groups of which the first received 100 grams of pitted plums every day, the second 12 grams of psyllium fiber and the last 2 green kiwis. After 4 weeks of treatment, all participants reported a similar positive effect on digestion, but there were some mutual differences. differences. Their bowel movements all increased compared to the initial situation. The plum eaters recorded the highest increase, followed by the fiber group and the kiwi eaters. The researchers also saw another improvement in the fruit-eaters (plums and kiwis). This also made the stool softer, which was not the case with the psyllium fibres. The unpleasant feeling that the intestines are not completely empty also decreased in all participants. Kiwi eaters noted significantly less discomfort from bloating. This group also suffered by far the least from unwanted side effects. One of the most striking differences the researchers uncovered was satisfaction with their treatment. The kiwis score remarkably well here. Almost 7 out of 10 participants from the kiwi group feel good about it and tolerate the approach, while this is much lower for the plum and psyllium group. This satisfaction is not unimportant since chronic constipation requires long-term treatment. All three agents are therefore useful in tackling long-term constipation, but the role of water should not be forgotten either. Fibers have a relieving effect due to their swelling effect, but you must also drink enough water at the time of intake of the fibers. Drinking water throughout the day will mainly make you pee a lot, but not immediately improve bowel movements.

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