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A recent study has found that increased dietary intake of vitamin B1 (thiamine) is associated with a lower prevalence of constipation in adults. The findings, published in BMC Gastroenterology, suggest that enhancing vitamin B1 intake through diet could be an effective approach to reducing constipation symptoms.
Methodology
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2005 and 2010. The study included 10,371 adults aged 20 years and older. Participants provided detailed information on their bowel movement frequency and stool characteristics over the 30 days prior to data collection.
Constipation was identified based on two criteria: bowel movement frequency (fewer than three per week) and stool consistency (Bristol Stool Scale type 1 or 2). Vitamin B1 intake data were obtained through 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Participants were categorized into three groups according to their B1 intake levels: low (0.064-1.21 mg), medium (1.21-1.76 mg), and high (1.76-12.61 mg).
Key Findings
The study revealed that 10.8% of participants were classified as having constipation. However, those with higher vitamin B1 intake experienced a significantly lower prevalence of constipation:
- High B1 intake group: 7.69%
- Medium B1 intake group: 10.7%
- Low B1 intake group: 14.09%
Overall, a higher intake of vitamin B1 was associated with a 23% reduction in constipation risk (P = .034). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated that increased B1 intake led to a 20% reduction in constipation risk among men, a 16% reduction in individuals without hypertension, and a 14% reduction in those without diabetes.
Practical Implications
“This association suggests that enhanced intake of vitamin B1 through diet may facilitate softer stools and heightened intestinal motility, thereby potentially alleviating constipation symptoms. Consequently, healthcare professionals are advised to prioritize the promotion of a well-balanced diet as an initial therapeutic approach, preceding medical interventions,” the authors wrote.
Study Limitations
Despite these promising findings, the study’s cross-sectional design means that a causal relationship between vitamin B1 intake and constipation cannot be firmly established. The reliance on self-reported data and 24-hour dietary recalls may not accurately represent participants’ long-term dietary habits.
Source and Disclosures
The study was led by Wenyi Du from the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou Stomatological Hospital, and Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. It was published online in BMC Gastroenterology. The authors declared no specific funding sources or competing interests.
