Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Review finds two green kiwifruits a day may help constipation
A review examined kiwifruit as a dietary option for constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
These conditions involve altered bowel habits, while IBS-C also includes recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements or changes in stool.
The review considered clinical studies and possible digestive effects, including evidence comparing kiwifruit with psyllium and prunes.
Green kiwifruit may improve bowel function, with studies suggesting more frequent bowel movements and softer, bulkier stools.
Its fiber and water may help, but several proposed effects are based mainly on laboratory, animal or short-term studies.
The best amount and how it works are not fully established, and the evidence varies across studies and groups of people.
Further research is needed to clarify effective eating patterns and which people may benefit.
A narrative review says eating two green kiwifruits a day may help people with constipation.
Researcher Yohei Okawa assessed clinical evidence and possible mechanisms for kiwifruit’s effects on functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
The review says clinical studies suggest kiwifruit can increase bowel movement frequency, stool bulk and softness.
Kiwifruit contains fiber, water and sorbitol, which may support stool hydration and bowel function.
The review says evidence has not fully established the mechanisms, optimal intake patterns or effectiveness across different patient groups.
- Who
- Yohei Okawa, a researcher at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.
- What
- A narrative review assessed evidence on kiwifruit for constipation-related conditions. It says two green kiwifruits a day may help.
- When
- Published on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan.
- Why
- Kiwifruit’s fiber, water and other components may support bowel function.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The review searched for English-language articles published during this period.
News-Medical published its report on the review.
- Daily amount
- Two green kiwifruits
- Review author
- Yohei Okawa
- Journal
- Food, Nutrition and Health
- Publications included
- 33
- Database records found
- 612