Healthy Dietsโ Linked too Lower Constipation Risk in new Study
Boston,MA – A large-scale study โฃof over 96,000 middle-aged and older adults has found a significant link between dietary patterns and the incidenceโค of constipation. Researchers discovered โคthat โindividuals adhering to Mediterranean or plant-based dietsโ were less likely to experienceโค the common digestive issue. The findings, published with DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2025.06.020,suggest dietary โinterventions could play aโข role in preventing chronic โconstipation.
The research, conducted by a team at Massachusettsโฃ General Hospital, indicates the benefits extend beyond previously understood cardiovascular advantages โof these diets. “Our โฃresults suggest that,โ beyondโค their known cardiovascular health benefits, certain healthy dietsโ may also have beneficial effects on the gut as we age,” explained Dr. Kyle Staller, from the Departmentโข of Gastroenterology.
Notably,โฃ the study revealed the positive effects weren’t solely attributable to fiber intake. “We have always assumed that the benefits of a healthy diet are primarily based on fiber. but the positive โฃeffect on constipation of these healthy diets was autonomousโ of fiber intake,” Staller stated.
The research โsuggests a diet abundant in vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats may be particularly effective in preventing chronic constipation in โmiddle-agedโค and older adults. conversely, โa western diet was associated โwith an โincreasedโ risk of the condition. this is the first study to demonstrate that specific dietary patterns can proactively โฃprevent the development of chronic โฃconstipation.
