Amelioration of bowel movement by daily ingestion of Kumaizasa (Sasa. senanensis) powder: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison study

Authors

  • Jun Nishihira Hokkaido Information University
  • Hideo Hara UNIAL Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Bioresources Innovation Center, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  • Aiko Tanaka Hokkaido Information University, Health Information Science Research Center, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
  • Hiroyo Kagami-Katsuyama Hokkaido Information University, Health Information Science Research Center, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v9i5.603

Abstract

Background: Kumaizasa (Sasa. senanensis (Franchet et Savatier) Rehder) is a bush-type bamboo grown in Hokkaido, Japan and has traditionally been used as a material for herbal medicine and health food. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of daily ingestion of Kumaizasa powder (4.2g/day) for 2 weeks for improvement of constipation. We conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison study on 80 healthy Japanese men and women between the ages of 20 and 65 who complained of chronic constipation.

 

Results: The stool frequency per week as the primary outcome showed a significant increase after 2-week ingestion of the active food (Kumaizasa powder) compared with the placebo (starch). The stool odor was also significantly improved after 2-week ingestion of Kumaizasa powder compared with the placebo. Abdominal condition was also significantly improved by visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluation.

 

Conclusions: We concluded that daily ingestion of Kumaizasa powder is useful for improvement of constipation.

Author Biographies

  • Jun Nishihira, Hokkaido Information University

    Vice President

    Hokkaido Information University

    Prof. 

    Department of Medical Management and Informatics

     

  • Hideo Hara, UNIAL Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Bioresources Innovation Center, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Vice President and researcher

     

  • Aiko Tanaka, Hokkaido Information University, Health Information Science Research Center, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
    researcher
  • Hiroyo Kagami-Katsuyama, Hokkaido Information University, Health Information Science Research Center, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
    Researcher

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Published

2019-05-30

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 5 (2019): May 2019

Section

Research Articles

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