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.
Scientific Claim
In adults with idiopathic constipation, reducing dietary fiber intake for six months is associated with an increase in bowel movement frequency from one motion every 4.19 days to one motion every 1.9 days and a reduction in straining and bloating in a majority of participants.
Original Statement
“Those with reduced fiber intake had increased bowel frequency from a mean of one motion per 4.19 d (± 2.09 d) to one motion per 1.9 d (± 1.21 d) on a reduced fiber diet (P < 0.001); ... symptoms of bloating were present in 31.3% ... and straining to pass stools occurred in 43.8% ...”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design cannot rule out confounding factors (e.g., motivation, lifestyle changes). The use of 'is associated with' is appropriate, but the phrasing implies a consistent effect, which may not be generalizable.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
This study found that when people with chronic constipation ate less fiber, they pooped more often and felt less bloated and strained—exactly what the claim says.