The effect of‘Zesy002’kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensisvar.chinensis) on guthealth function: a randomised cross-over clinical trial

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal disorders including constipation affect up to 14 % of the world’s population. Treatment is difficult and challenging resulting in aneed for alternative safe and effective therapies. The present study investigated whether daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit could alleviateconstipation and improve gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated individuals with and without pain. A total of thirty-two participantswereenrolled in a 16-week randomised, single-blind, crossover study. Participants received either three‘Zesy002’kiwifruit or 14·75 g Metamucil®(5 g dietaryfibre/d (a positive control)) for 4 weeks each with a 4-week washout between treatments. A 2-week washout period was included at the beginning and endof the study. Daily bowel habit diaries were kept throughout the study. The primary outcome measure was differences in the number of complete spon-taneous bowel movements (CSBM). Secondary outcome measures were bowel movement frequency and stool form as well as digestive symptoms andcomfort. The number of CSBM per week was significantly greater during daily consumption of three kiwifruit compared with the baseline (6·3v.3·3;P<0·05) and the Metamucil®treatment (6·3v.4·5;P<0·05). Stool consistency was also improved, with kiwifruit producing softer stools and less straining(P<0·05). Gastrointestinal discomfort was also improved compared with baseline for abdominal pain, constipation and indigestion (P<0·05) during thekiwifruit intervention and constipation during the Metamucil®intervention (P<0·05). This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that daily consump-tion of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit is associated with a significant increase of two CSBM per week and reduction in gastrointestinal discomfort in mildlyconstipated adults.