kiwi and Improved Bowel Movement Frequency

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

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.

Studied populations: Adults with chronic constipation (primary); also healthy adults in one RCT

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) and study durations are short (median 16 days). The available evidence is overwhelmingly positive, which may reflect publication bias (null results less likely to be published). The effect size is small (e.g., +0.36 BM/week in the meta-analysis), so clinical significance may be modest.

Generated Jul 12, 2026

Time to effect

Median: 2.2 weeks · IQR 9 days–3.1 weeks · Range 3 days–4 weeks — Reported in 2 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Systematic review and meta-analysis: Foods, drinks and diets and their effect on chronic constipation in adults.
- 2023-10-31
- Meta-Analysis · n = 1,714
- Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 59(2)
- - Alice Van Der Schoot
  - Zoi Katsirma
  - Kevin Whelan
  - Eirini Dimidi
- PubMed: 37905980
- DOI: 10.1111/apt.17782
1 Insight on
- Improved Bowel Movement Frequency
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Fruits resulted in higher stool frequency than psyllium (MD: +0.36 bowel movements [BM]/week, [0.25-0.48], n=232), kiwifruits in particular (MD: +0.36 BM/week, [0.24-0.48], n=192)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Mechanisms underlying effects of kiwifruit on intestinal function shown by MRI in healthy volunteers.
- 2019-01-31
- RCT
- Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 49(6)
- - Victoria Wilkinson-Smith
  - Neele Dellschaft
  - Juliet Ansell
  - Caroline Hoad
  - Luca Marciani
  - Penny Gowland
  - Robin Spiller
- PubMed: 30706488
- DOI: 10.1111/apt.15127
7 Insights on
- Improved Bowel Movement Frequency
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Adults
SBWC (P < 0.001), colon volumes (P = 0.004), as well as stool frequency (1.46 ± 0.66 with kiwifruit vs 1.14 ± 0.46 stools per day with control; P = 0.034) and stool form score (Bristol Stool Chart score 4.1 (0.9) with kiwifruit versus 3.4 (0.7) with control; P = 0.011) were markedly increased in participants consuming kiwifruit compared to control.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
two kiwifruits twice daily
Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.
- 2007
- Clinical Trial
- World journal of gastroenterology 13(35)
- - Annie-On-On Chan
  - Gigi Leung
  - Teresa Tong
  - Nina-Yh Wong
- PubMed: 17729399
- DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i35.4771
5 Insights on
- Improved Bowel Movement Frequency
- Moderate evidence
- Clinical
and satisfaction of bowel habit (P = 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
kiwi fruit twice daily (4 weeks)

kiwi and Improved Bowel Movement Frequency

Systematic review and meta-analysis: Foods, drinks and diets and their effect on chronic constipation in adults.

Mechanisms underlying effects of kiwifruit on intestinal function shown by MRI in healthy volunteers.

Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.