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Comprehensive Dietary Guidelines for Chronic Constipation Management

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new research study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics has developed the first comprehensive evidence-based dietary guidelines for managing chronic constipation in adults. The guidelines were created by a team of researchers from King's College London, who conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and develop guideline statements using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The research aims to provide healthcare professionals with practical recommendations for treating patients with chronic constipation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The guidelines include recommendations for dietary supplements, such as fibre supplements, probiotics, synbiotics, magnesium oxide, senna, and kiwifruit supplements.
  • For foods, the guidelines suggest eating kiwifruits, prunes, and rye bread, while avoiding whole diet approaches due to a lack of evidence.
  • The guidelines also provide recommendations for drinks, including high mineral-containing water.
  • A total of 59 dietary recommendation statements were generated and accepted through the Delphi survey.
  • Twenty-seven statements were strong recommendations, and 32 were qualified recommendations.
  • The research included 75 RCTs in the four systematic reviews.
  • The guidelines were developed using a multistage process involving systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and a Delphi consensus survey.
  • The research was conducted by a team of experts from King's College London, including Alice van der Schoot, Eirini Dimidi, Kevin Barrett, Adam D. Farmer, Miranda C. Lomer, S. Mark Scott, and Kevin Whelan.

Statistics:

  • 75 RCTs were included in the four systematic reviews.
  • 59 dietary recommendation statements were generated and accepted through the Delphi survey.
  • 27 statements were strong recommendations, and 32 were qualified recommendations.
  • 15 recommendation statements relate to fibre supplements.
  • 20 relate to probiotics.
  • 5 relate to magnesium oxide.
  • 2 relate to senna.
  • 3 relate to kiwifruit supplements.
  • 3 recommendation statements related to kiwifruits.
  • 2 relate to prunes.
  • 2 relate to rye bread.
  • 5 recommendation statements related to high mineral-containing water.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at King's College London Report New Data on Science (British Dietetic Association Guidelines for the Dietary Management of Chronic Constipation in Adults). Clinical Trials Week. October 27, 2025; p 1951.
  • British Dietetic Association Guidelines for the Dietary Management of Chronic Constipation in Adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2025;38(5).
  • Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA.

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