This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts in treating constipation by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A total of seven RCTs involving 399 participants (82% female, average age 42 years) were included. The review assessed outcomes such as the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM), abdominal pain, straining, and stool type. Compared to placebo, kiwifruit extracts may slightly increase SBM frequency with low certainty, and it had an uncertain effect on stool type with very low certainty. Kiwifruit also showed moderate evidence for reducing abdominal pain but had a negligible impact on straining.

The review found that kiwifruit might increase SBM compared to psyllium, with moderate certainty, and may also improve stool softness, though the evidence remains inconclusive. Kiwifruit extracts also potentially led to more minor adverse events than placebo. Overall, the evidence supporting kiwifruit as an effective treatment for constipation is of low certainty. While promising, researchers stress that larger and more methodologically robust studies are needed to confirm its role in constipation management.

Reference: Bangash AM, Naeem H, Anwar MT, et al. Kiwifruit and Kiwifruit Extracts for Treatment of Constipation in Healthy Plus Functional Constipation Including Irritable Bowel Syndrome Type Constipation Patient: A Meta-Analysis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology 119(10S):p S563-S564, October 2024. | DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0001032660.57699.b2