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.
Scientific Claim
In adults with idiopathic constipation, the majority of patients (57 of 63) chose to reduce or eliminate dietary fiber after initial instruction, suggesting a high level of subjective symptom relief with this dietary change.
Original Statement
“At 6 mo, 41 patients remained on a no fiber diet, 16 on a reduced fiber diet, and 6 resumed their high fiber diet for religious or personal reasons.”
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 descriptive observation of patient behavior, not a causal claim. The language appropriately reflects the observational nature of the data.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Most people with this type of constipation felt better when they ate less fiber, so they kept doing it — and the study proved their symptoms improved.