Most people who came in with constipation were already eating a lot of fiber—so they weren’t lacking it, which challenges the idea that fiber deficiency causes constipation.

Scientific Claim

In adults with idiopathic constipation, the clinical impression that many patients are already consuming high fiber before seeking care is supported by the baseline dietary patterns of the study cohort.

Original Statement

“At the commencement of the study, all patients were already on a high fiber diet or taking fiber supplements.”

From study:Stopping or reducing dietary fiber intake reduces constipation and its associated symptoms.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

This is a factual description of baseline characteristics, accurately reported without causal or generalizing language.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Stopping or reducing dietary fiber intake reduces constipation and its associated symptoms.

Cohort Study

Human

The study found that people with constipation felt better when they ate less fiber, not more — so even if they were already eating a lot of fiber before, it wasn’t helping, and cutting back worked better.

Source Study

Stopping or reducing dietary fiber intake reduces constipation and its associated symptoms.

Score: 39

DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4593

Similar Assertions

This study shows that people with constipation don’t need fiber to poop normally—many felt better when they stopped eating it.

90%

Most people with chronic constipation chose to keep eating less fiber after trying it, because they felt better—only a few went back to eating lots of fiber.

90%

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.

87%

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

86%

Older people with constipation were a bit less likely to stop eating fiber, but it wasn’t a big or clear difference—age didn’t strongly predict who changed their diet.

84%