Evidence supporting the use of: Fruit
For the health condition: Constipation (children)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Fruits are widely recognized as a supportive treatment for constipation in children, with scientific validation to back their use. Various fruits, especially those high in dietary fiber (such as prunes, apples, pears, and kiwifruit), have been studied for their beneficial effects on bowel function. Fiber increases stool bulk and water content, which helps promote regular bowel movements. Additionally, certain fruits contain sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol with osmotic laxative properties; prunes, for example, are especially effective due to their high fiber and sorbitol content.

Clinical guidelines, such as those from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), recommend increased dietary fiber intake, including fruit, as a first-line strategy for managing functional constipation in children. Randomized controlled trials have shown that the inclusion of fruits like prunes or kiwifruit can improve stool frequency and consistency in both adults and children. While the majority of studies focus on specific fruits, the general recommendation to increase fruit intake for constipation is based on their fiber and water content as well as observational data linking higher fruit consumption with lower rates of constipation in pediatric populations.

In summary, the use of fruit to treat constipation in children is supported by both mechanistic understanding and clinical evidence, although the strength of evidence varies depending on the specific fruit and study design. Overall, the evidence is robust enough to justify its recommendation as part of constipation management in children.

More about fruit
More about Constipation (children)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini

Products containing fruit

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