Green Kiwifruit Shown to Aid Bowel Function
A review of 33 studies and a crossover trial suggest daily green kiwifruit can increase complete bowel movements in constipated adults.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nutrition
Live Poll
Would you add daily kiwifruit to your diet to help with constipation?
Tohoku University researcher Yohei Okawa published a review in Food, Nutrition and Health assessing 33 studies published between January 1984 and June 2026. An international randomized crossover trial of 184 adults found two daily green kiwifruits increased complete spontaneous bowel movements.
Why it matters
Constipation is a common complaint, and the findings suggest a food-based option that may be comparable to a widely used fiber supplement. The author notes that kiwifruit should complement, rather than replace, conventional constipation management.
The review covered 33 studies, and the crossover trial of 184 adults found increases of 1.53 and 1.73 complete bowel movements per week in two patient groups compared with 7.5 grams of psyllium. Evidence is strongest for fresh green varieties, particularly Hayward, and the long-term effects remain unexamined.
The players
Yohei Okawa
Yohei Okawa is a researcher at Tohoku University in Japan who authored the review on green kiwifruit and bowel function.
Tohoku University
Tohoku University is a research university in Sendai, Japan, founded in 1907 and among the country's leading national institutions.
The details
Adults ate two fresh green kiwifruits daily for approximately four weeks in the trial. Both patient groups reported improved gastrointestinal comfort, and kiwifruit was generally well tolerated compared with psyllium and prunes.
Timeline
January 1984 to June 2026: period covered by the 33 reviewed studies.
Approximately four weeks: duration of daily two-kiwifruit consumption in the trial.
November 6, 2026: review published and reported.
Big Picture
Psyllium husk, a long-established soluble fiber supplement, served as the benchmark in the crossover trial. The results position fresh green kiwifruit as a whole-food option measured directly against that standard.
Adults with functional constipation or IBS-C may consider fresh green kiwifruit as a food-based option alongside conventional management. The author stresses that kiwifruit should complement, not replace, established treatments.
The takeaway
Fresh green kiwifruit, particularly Hayward, shows promise as a whole-food aid for bowel regularity. Anyone with persistent constipation should keep their existing treatment plan and discuss dietary changes with a clinician.
Further reading
Explore more on Nutrition to see how whole foods fit into digestive health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
Live Poll
Would you add daily kiwifruit to your diet to help with constipation?
