Dietary constipation guidelines rest largely on uncertain evidence
A guideline covers supplements, foods and drinks, while leaving whole-diet approaches without recommendations because evidence was lacking.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The project produced dietary guidance for adults with chronic constipation, covering selected supplements, foods and mineral-rich water. Most recommendation statements rested on low or very low certainty evidence. The abstract does not provide individual recommendations or treatment effect estimates, so it cannot show which option improves a particular symptom or by how much.
The abstract lists recommendation topics and evidence grades but omits the advice itself, trial comparisons, treatment durations and effect sizes. It cannot support choosing a specific product or diet.
What the project assessed
The authors combined trial evidence, graded its certainty and used expert consensus to develop recommendations. Outcomes of interest included treatment response, bowel output, gut symptoms, adverse events and quality of life; this was guideline development rather than a new patient trial.
Reading the evidence grades
Evidence was rated very low for 12 statements, low for 39 and moderate for 8. Recommendation strength was assessed separately, so a strong recommendation should not be interpreted as a large measured treatment effect.
The original publication
British Dietetic Association Guidelines for the Dietary Management of Chronic Constipation in Adults.
Dimidi E, van der Schoot A, Barrett K et al.
J Hum Nutr Diet · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41081513
- Record checked
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