The Effect of Zespri Green Kiwifruit on Digestive and Gut Health Functions

The proposed study will primarily demonstrate the efficacy of kiwifruit as a food intervention for the relief of constipation and associated symptoms in functionally constipated adults, and those with IBS-C. Secondary measures will show the consumption of kiwifruit will result in improvements in gastro-intestinal discomfort levels of adults with IBS-C.

The study is a randomised, single-blinded, cross-over design. Both target study populations (those with functional constipation, and the matched healthy control group) will complete the 16-week trial. Each study group will be randomly selected to either begin the first intervention period on the kiwifruit treatment or the psyllium treatment, and following the washout period will then receive the opposite treatment. Researchers and analysts will be blind as to as to the order of treatment individuals will receive. A dedicated treatment administrator will be assigned to provide the treatments to participants and liaise with them during the intervention phases.

All participants will be free living and required to maintain their normal dietary and lifestyle habits for the duration of the trial.

The primary outcome measure will be quantification of CSBM (complete spontaneous bowel movement). Secondary outcome measures will include additional stool frequency measures and other questionnaires.

Eligibility Criteria:
The study group will consist of 3 balanced groups of 20 subjects. A functionally constipated group (FC), an irritable bowel syndrome with constipation group (IBS-C), and a healthy control group (HC). The FC and IBS-C groups are the study population of interest to measure improvements in digestive comfort, and the HC will ensure no adverse events, confirming kiwifruit are suitable for consumption by the general healthy population.

All participants must fall within:

1. Adult (18-65 years). Females will be required to declare stage of menstrual cycle during the different trial phases.
2. BMI between 18-35 Screening questionnaires for participant selection, together with the sample ROME III FC/ IBS-C criteria screening questions are provided in Appendix C. This questionnaire enables potential participants to be screened for both FC and IBS-C, together with some "red flag" questions to further determine participant suitability.

Inclusion Criteria:

* The functionally constipated (FC) study participant group will be selected based on the following criteria:

  1. Presence of functional constipation according to ROME III diagnostic criteria\*5b i. Must include two or more of the following:

     1. Straining during at least 25% of defecations
     2. Lumpy or hard stools in at least 25% of defecations
     3. Sensation of incomplete evacuation for at least 25% of defecations
     4. Sensation of anorectal obstruction/blockage for at least 25% of defecations
     5. Manual manoeuvres to facilitate at least 25% of defecations (e.g. digital evacuation, support of pelvic floor)
     6. Fewer than three defecations per week ii. Loose stools are rarely present without the use of laxatives iii. Insufficient criteria for irritable bowel syndrome \* Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis
  2. Participants with IBS-C (mild). The diagnostic criteria \* for Irritable Bowel Syndrome5a is:

     Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort\*\* at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with 2 or more of the following:

     i. Improvement with defecation ii. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool iii. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance of stool)

     \* Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis

     \*\* Discomfort means an uncomfortable sensation not described as pain. In pathophysiology research and clinical trials, a pain/discomfort frequency of at least 2 days a week during screening evaluation for subject eligibility.

     IBS-C requires meeting the IBS criteria together with - hard or lumpy stools (Bristol Stool Form Scale 1-2) ≥ 25%, and loose or mushy stools ≤ 25% of bowel movements (Bristol Stool Form Scale 6-7).

     Exclusion Criteria:
* Potential participants will be excluded if they have any alarm features associated with bowel habit (recent changes in bowel habit (\<3 months), rectal bleeding, weight loss, occult blood in stools, anaemia), anal fissures, bleeding haemorrhoids, and family history of GI cancer or IBD.

Chronic disease (cardiovascular, cancer, renal failure, previous gastrointestinal surgery (not including appendectomy or cholecystectomy), neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, spinal chord injury, stroke).

All patients will be screened at recruitment for fasting blood glucose. Those with results ≥ 7.2 mmol/l will not be accepted into the trial.

Participants with diagnosed and stable conditions requiring the use of SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclates, opiates or anti-inflammatories will be permitted into the trial on condition the medication has been in use continually and the condition has been stable for \> 3 months. Similarly those with stable and controlled diabetes (\> 3 months) will be permitted to participate.

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy in the 3 months post selection (trial period) will be excluded.

Potential participants with known kiwifruit or latex allergy will be excluded.