Kiwifruit modulation of gastrointestinal motility.

Disorders of gastrointestinal motility are common, resulting in a decreased quality of life of individuals, and an economic burden. Gastrointestinal motility is categorized according to location within the gastrointestinal tract: stomach, small intestine, and colon, with the colon being the dominant compartment in determining overall gastrointestinal transit. Constipation results from gastrointestinal dysmotility and is a significant chronic health issue globally. Clinical studies in a range of adult populations consistently indicate that kiwifruit are a highly effective dietary option to promote laxation. This, together with emerging evidence for the putative effects of kiwifruit in beneficially promoting gastric emptying and digesta mixing, suggests that kiwifruit are physiologically active throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Although the mechanisms of this action remain unknown, the unique behavior of kiwifruit fiber during digestion and the potential action of bioactive components in kiwifruit may contribute to the effectiveness of kiwifruit in modulating gastrointestinal motility.