Best Supplements for Improved Bowel Movement Frequency
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 49 supplements across 67 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects on bowel movement frequency, with effect sizes predominantly small (one moderate). The evidence base includes adults with chronic constipation, mild intermittent constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Median study duration was 56 days (reported in 1 study), but the only study with a reported duration showed no significant benefit.
- 2kiwiModerate evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, all 3 reported beneficial effects on bowel movement frequency, with predominantly small effect sizes. The highest-quality evidence (a meta-analysis of 192 adults with chronic constipation) found a small increase of +0.36 bowel movements per week. Studies used doses around two kiwifruits twice daily over durations of 3 to 28 days (median 16 days), and included both constipated and healthy adults.
- Moderate evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial moderate-sized effects on bowel movement frequency. The evidence primarily comes from randomized controlled trials in adults with low defecation frequency or functional constipation. Dose and duration were not consistently reported across studies.
- ModerateBacillus coagulansAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects on bowel movement frequency, with effect sizes predominantly small (one moderate). The evidence base includes adults with chronic constipation, mild intermittent constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Median study duration was 56 days (reported in 1 study), but the only study with a reported duration showed no significant benefit.3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModeratekiwiAcross 3 studies, all 3 reported beneficial effects on bowel movement frequency, with predominantly small effect sizes. The highest-quality evidence (a meta-analysis of 192 adults with chronic constipation) found a small increase of +0.36 bowel movements per week. Studies used doses around two kiwifruits twice daily over durations of 3 to 28 days (median 16 days), and included both constipated and healthy adults.3 beneficial3 studies
- ModerateBifidobacterium lactis MAK16B42LAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial moderate-sized effects on bowel movement frequency. The evidence primarily comes from randomized controlled trials in adults with low defecation frequency or functional constipation. Dose and duration were not consistently reported across studies.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowLactobacillus plantarum 299vAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a beneficial small-sized effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on bowel movement frequency, while 2 found no significant difference (neutral). The evidence is predominantly neutral with a small effect size. The most studied population is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, and the median study duration was 28 days (based on 1 study). No clear dose range emerged as most studies did not report dosing.1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies