The Effect of Natural Carbonated Mineral Water Consumption on Gastrointestinal Transit and on Gut Microbiota in Subjects With Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

Difference between the intervention and control group in the change in gastrointestinal transit from baseline to the end of follow-up (4 weeks).

Functional constipation (FC) is a common condition associated with aging, lower socioeconomic
 status, low physical activity and also with reduced fibre, water and magnesium intakes.
 Different studies have reported a positive association between the intake of hyper-mineral
 water containing a high content of bicarbonate, calcium, or magnesium, and the improve of the
 gastrointestinal transit. There is evidence that magnesium and sulphate, both individually,
 have a laxative action. However, the impact of other minerals is scarce. It has been
 described different mechanisms explaining how gut microbiota influence the gastrointestinal
 transit. Specifically, in FC patients, it is important to understand the particularities of
 their gut microbiota and understand whether the intake of hyper-mineral water, a natural
 source of minerals, can modify positively the gut microbiota. The aim of the present
 randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial is to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of
 the carbonated mineral water consumption in the gastrointestinal transit and in the gut
 microbiota of subjects with FC.