Magnesium Sulfate-Rich Natural Mineral Waters in the Treatment of Functional Constipation–A Review

Dupont C, Hébert G · Nutrients · 2020 July 10

DOI 10.3390/nu12072052

Objective

To review clinical data reporting the efficacy of magnesium sulfate-rich natural mineral waters in the treatment of functional constipation (FC).

Conclusions

Magnesium sulfate, known for its laxative properties, has a long history in treating FC, and magnesium sulfate-rich natural mineral waters have been used for centuries. While clinical studies demonstrating their efficacy in FC were lacking before the 21st century, the review suggests that these mineral waters may represent a natural and effective treatment for FC, considering their reported efficacy and safety.

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Insights

Magnesium sulfate-rich natural mineral waters are effective and safe as a natural treatment for functional constipation.

This paper reviews clinical data on the efficacy of magnesium sulfate-rich natural mineral waters in treating functional constipation (FC), a chronic type of constipation with no identifiable physiological, anatomical, or iatrogenic causes. The condition is known to significantly affect patients’ quality of life and increase healthcare costs. The study examines the historical use of magnesium sulfate in treating FC and its longstanding recognition for laxative properties, especially in the context of magnesium sulfate-rich mineral waters. The review highlights that, despite the long history of using magnesium sulfate-rich mineral waters for their laxative effects, clinical studies specifically demonstrating their effectiveness in FC were scarce before the 21st century. The collected data indicate that these mineral waters are not only effective in treating FC but also safe, positioning them as a viable natural treatment option for this condition.