British Dietary Guidelines for Chronic Constipation

The British Dietetic Association has developed the first comprehensive evidence-based dietary guidelines for the management of chronic constipation in adults. Four systematic reviews and meta-analyses encompassing 75 randomized controlled trials informed 59 recommendation statements, developed through the GRADE framework and Delphi consensus among a multidisciplinary Guideline Steering Committee. The recommendations covered dietary supplements (including fiber, probiotics, synbiotics, magnesium oxide, senna, and kiwifruit), foods (kiwifruit, prunes, rye bread), and drinks (high mineral-content water). Evidence strength varied, with 12 statements supported by very low, 39 by low, and 8 by moderate levels of evidence, leading to 27 strong and 32 qualified recommendations. These guidelines provide a robust and practical framework for integrating evidence-based dietary strategies into clinical practice to improve constipation management and patient outcomes. Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/