J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2007 Oct;23(5):312-320.

Effect of Yogurt Enriched Water-soluble Fiber on Functional Constipation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Surgery, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. sksohn@yuhs.ac
  • 2Department of Nutrition Services, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Pasteur Milk Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although a diet that is rich in fiber is widely recommended to prevent and treat constipation, the efficacy of fiber supplements with yogurt has not been studied sufficiently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a yogurt enriched water-soluble fiber on the various symptoms of constipation in female adults with functional constipation.
RESULTS
We did a double-blind and case-controlled study between two groups (placebo vs. fiber group), which were randomly allocated out of 42 subjects with functional constipation by using Rome II criteria. Bowel habits, daily nutritional intakes and physical activities were determined by using a questionnaire, and the segmental colonic transit time was evaluated three times: before treatment, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at the end of the study (2 weeks after treatment).
RESULTS
After 4 weeks of treatment, all defecation symptoms tested, except manual evacuation, showed significant improvements in the fiber group; fiber-enriched yogurt increased the number of bowel movements (P=0.002), reduced the presence of hard stools (P=0.001), improved the frequency of straining (P=0.048), the sense of incomplete evacuation (P= 0.013), and the sense of anorectal obstruction (P= 0.032). The total colonic transit time was shortened after intake of fiber-enriched yogurt (P=0.023). Satisfactory relief was significantly higher in the fiber group (P= 0.011).
CONCLUSIONS
Functional constipation may be improved with water-soluble fiber supplements in yogurt without serious side effects.

Keyword

Functional constipation; Water-soluble fiber; Yogurt

MeSH Terms

Adult
Case-Control Studies
Colon
Constipation*
Defecation
Diet
Female
Humans
Motor Activity
Surveys and Questionnaires
Yogurt*
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