ArticleAsia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition2026
Fiber-rich snacks improved constipation in Vietnamese elderly.
Article in Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
objectivesConstipation is a common condition among the elderly in nursing homes, partly due to a low fiber intake. This study utilized agar and konjac, both rich sources of dietary fiber, to develop fiber-rich snacks aimed at increasing fiber intake among the elderly. METHODS AND STUDY
designThis 3-week cross-over study was conducted among 20 elderly residents with constipation at Tuyet Thai Nursing Home, Vietnam (11 women, mean age 77 years; 9 men, mean age 79 years). Participants were divided into two groups receiving either control or fiber-rich snacks in alternating weeks, with a washout week in between. Two snacks were provided each day - control snacks made with tapioca and gelatin and intervention snacks in which part of the tapioca was replaced with konjac (≈3g fiber) and all gelatin with agar (≈3g fiber). Data were collected on stool status, dietary intake, and quality of life (as assessed by the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire).
resultsComparison of defecation status with the control period and the intervention period: stool frequency: 3.3 times/week and 4.9 times/week; The propor-tion of bowel movements with normal stool form increased from 35% to 85%; with stool constipation form decreased from 56% to 14% (p <0.05). Energy intake was comparable between periods, whereas fiber intake increased substantially during the intervention (11.8 ± 1.6 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2 g/day). The difference in fiber intake between the two periods was statistically significant (p <0.05), while the difference in energy intake was not statistically significant (p >0.05). The quality of life scores of the elderly during the intervention period im-proved significantly.
conclusionsFiber-rich snacks effectively improved constipation in the elderly without affecting their energy intake.
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