Chronic Constipation: What to Eat to Find Relief, According to New Guidelines

Chronic constipation affects more than 1 in 10 people worldwide.

This condition can disrupt daily life with symptoms like infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, and abdominal discomfort.

While many people turn to dietary changes for relief, past medical guidelines have mostly focused on general advice to eat more fiber or drink enough water, offering little detail on what actually works.

Now, for the first time, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has developed comprehensive, evidence-based dietary guidelines for adults with chronic constipation, drawing on results from 75 clinical trials. The guidelines were published on October 13 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and DieteticsTrusted Source.

These recommendations identify specific foods, supplements, and drinks that can improve symptoms — and reveal which popular remedies may not help at all.