Everyone with constipation who ate a lot of fiber felt bloated—those who cut back felt bloated less often, and those who stopped fiber entirely didn’t feel bloated at all.

People with constipation who kept taking fiber pills or eating lots of whole grains didn’t feel better—even if they tried to change their habits, the fiber kept them feeling the same.

For people who have trouble pooping and feel bloated, stopping all fiber-rich foods like veggies, fruits, and whole grains for six months helped them poop daily, stop straining, and feel less bloated.

People with chronic constipation who kept eating lots of fiber (like whole grains and veggies) for six months didn’t see any improvement—they still pooped rarely and felt bloated and strained.

People with chronic constipation who cut back on fiber (but didn’t eliminate it) started pooping almost daily and felt less strain and bloating after six months.

People with constipation who ate no fiber stopped straining to poop, while everyone who kept eating fiber still had to strain hard.