Insights & Discussion
Kiwifruits can relieve constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, potentially through protease-activated signaling, modulation of microflora, changes in colonic methane, bile flux, or mediation of inflammatory processes.
The review outlines the physiological processes underlying constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, and discusses the nutritional composition of kiwifruits. It delves into recent advances made in the study of kiwifruits and their impact on abdominal comfort, with the focus being given to the effect of kiwifruit fibers on gastrointestinal health. The study also identified and examined certain gaps in the existing research, using indications from studies on other foods known to affect the gastrointestinal tract to derive possible mechanisms of kiwifruits' beneficial actions.
In discussing the results, the review observed that while the effect of kiwifruit fibers on gastrointestinal health is well established, the supposed increase in gastrointestinal motility caused by kiwifruits is yet to be fully characterized. Numerous potential mechanisms were invoked that could be contributing to the physiological effects observed - these included the induction of motility through protease-activated signaling, the modulation of microflora in the gut, alterations in colonic methane status or bile flux, and the mediation of inflammation within the gut.
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Kiwifruit polysaccharides may alleviate the toxic effects of acrylamide by improving gut health and enhancing bile acid metabolism.
2023 Frontiers in Nutrition Effects of kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) polysaccharides on metabolites and gut microbiota of acrylamide-induced mice Chen M, Chen X, Wang K, Cai L, Liu N, Zhou D, et al.
Animal Study Bile Acid Gut Microbiota Kiwifruit
In this study, the team explored the potential protective effects of kiwifruit polysaccharides on disorders induced by acrylamide (a toxic ingredient found in high-temperature, carbohydrate-rich food) on gut microbiota and systemic metabolism. They measured changes in gut microbiota and serum metabolites in mice subjected to acrylamide-induced toxicity, focusing primarily on the effects on mice's bodily features, liver health, and liver enzyme activity.
The results revealed that treatment with kiwifruit polysaccharides not only improved the mice's overall health and liver function but also restored the balance in their gut microbiota by increasing microbial diversity and the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, it was found that the polysaccharides had a significant impact on amino and bile acid-related metabolic pathways, proving their potential in protecting against toxicity. A strong correlation was also found between certain bacteria and the critical metabolites of bile acid metabolism, providing a deeper understanding of the protective mechanisms of kiwifruit polysaccharides.
Consuming green kiwifruits is associated with a clinically relevant increase of ≥ 1.5 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week in those experiencing constipation.
2022 American Journal of Gastroenterology Consumption of 2 Green Kiwifruits Daily Improves Constipation and Abdominal Comfort—Results of an International Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Gearry R, Fukudo S, Barbara G, Kuhn-Sherlock B, Ansell J, Blatchford P, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome Kiwifruit
Participants included healthy controls (n = 63), patients with functional constipation (FC, n = 60), and patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C, n = 61) randomly assigned to consume 2 green kiwifruits or psyllium (7.5 g) per day for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout, and then the other treatment for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week. Secondary outcomes included GI comfort which was measured using the GI symptom rating scale, a validated instrument. Data (intent-to-treat) were analyzed as difference from baseline using repeated measures analysis of variance suitable for AB/BA crossover design.
Consumption of green kiwifruit was associated with a clinically relevant increase of ≥ 1.5 CSBM per week (FC; 1.53, P < 0.0001, IBS-C; 1.73, P = 0.0003) and significantly improved measures of GI comfort (GI symptom rating scale total score) in constipated participants (FC, P < 0.0001; IBS-C, P < 0.0001). No significant adverse events were observed.
Fresh and dried ginger displays key botanical, phytochemical and ethnopharmacological differences, which are fundamental for their specific clinical uses in treating gastrointestinal issues.
2022 The American Journal of Chinese Medicine Zingiber officinale: A Systematic Review of Botany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Gut Microbiota-Related Gastrointestinal Benefits Lai W, Yang S, Lin X, Zhang X, Huang Y, Zhou J, et al.
Systematic Review Ginger Gut Microbiota
The methodology used in the research involved a retrospective comparison between Sheng Jiang (SJ, meaning fresh ginger) and Gan Jiang (GJ, meaning dried ginger), two traditional Chinese herbs. The comparison was undertaken specifically considering aspects of botany, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology. The research also delved into exploring the traditionally attributed use of ginger, in both its fresh and dried forms, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, and its relationship with human gut microbiota - an aspect that hasn't been considered extensively previously.
The results displayed notable differences between fresh and dried ginger in terms of botany, phytochemical, and ethnopharmacological properties. Fresh and dried ginger are cultivated differently and display distinct physical appearances. This research proposed that these differences lay the foundation for how these two forms of ginger are applied clinically. Furthermore, discussing the pharmacology of gut microbiota-related gastrointestinal benefits, it is suggested that fresh and dried ginger could present innovative and potent avenues for preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders.
Consuming kiwifruit, particularly the green variety, can effectively alleviate upper gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal discomfort, pain, and indigestion.
2022 Advances in Nutrition Habitual Green Kiwifruit Consumption Is Associated with a Reduction in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Scoping Review Bayer SB, Frampton CM, Gearry RB, Barbara G
Review Article Indigestion Irritable Bowel Syndrome Kiwifruit
The research undertook a systematic scoping review of three electronic databases from 1947 until January 2021. The team searched for clinical trials that investigated the effects of either green or gold kiwifruit or their compounds on upper gastrointestinal symptoms. They focused on the studies that had the symptom relief as secondary outcomes in healthy participants or those with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The outcomes were analyzed based on the type of measurement tools used; one being the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the others being non-GSRS methods.
The analysis unveiled that out of the identified 12 clinical trials, with a total of 661 participants, only five used the GSRS to assess symptom relief. Green kiwifruit showed notable results in reducing abdominal discomfort and pain. Kiwifruit consumption, in general, appeared to diminish indigestion. While the number of studies reporting on symptom relief using a comparable measurement was limited, the evidence for kiwifruit's positive efficacy on gastrointestinal symptom relief remained consistent.
Two French natural mineral waters (NMW1 and NMW2) show anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce intestinal inflammation in mice with induced colitis.
2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences Beneficial Effects of Natural Mineral Waters on Intestinal Inflammation and the Mucosa-Associated Microbiota Barnich N, Rodrigues M, Sauvanet P, Chevarin C, Denis S, Le Goff O, et al.
Experimental Study Colitis Gut Microbiota Intestinal Inflammation
The study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of two French natural mineral waters (NMWs) - NMW1 (rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, carbon, and iron) and NMW2 (mainly bicarbonate) - on intestinal inflammation. Intestinal epithelial cells were stimulated with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli or hydrogen peroxide and then treated with NMWs. Additionally, moderate colitis was induced in Balbc/J mice using 1% dextran sulfate sodium. These mice were then given either NMW1, NMW2, or control water. The study assessed general symptoms, histological features of colitis, fecal lipocalin-2 levels, pro-inflammatory KC cytokine levels, and the global mucosa-associated microbiota.
Both NMW1 and NMW2 showed anti-inflammatory effects in treated intestinal cells. In the colitis-induced mice, NMW1 notably reduced inflammation, evidenced by lower disease activity scores, reduced fecal lipocalin-2, decreased release of pro-inflammatory KC cytokines, and smaller intestinal epithelial lesions. NMW1 also helped in maintaining the normal state of mucosa-associated microbiota. These findings suggest the potential of these NMWs in managing inflammatory bowel disease through modulating gut microbiota.
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