China: Study Reveals Association Between Vitamin B1 Intake and Chronic Constipation

A recent population-based study has revealed an interesting association between dietary intake of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, and the prevalence of chronic constipation. The findings, published in BMC Gastroenterology, suggest that individuals with higher vitamin B1 consumption may experience fewer instances of this uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition.

Many studies have shown a link between dietary micronutrient intake and the incidence of constipation. However, the relationship between constipation and vitamin B1 has yet to be explored. Therefore, Qian Wu, Institute of Orthopedics at Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China, and colleagues aimed to investigate the relationship between chronic constipation and dietary vitamin B1 intake among adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

For this purpose, the researchers utilized data from the NHANES, a health and nutrition survey conducted between 2005 and 2010. Dietary information from respondents was collected through 24-hour dietary recalls. To explore the relationship between vitamin B1 intake and chronic constipation, the team employed various statistical analyses, including multiple logistic regression, subgroup analysis, and curve-fitting analysis.

Key Findings of the Study

• There were 10,371 participants in the trial, out of which 1,123 individuals were identified as having chronic constipation.
• Fully adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses showed that increasing dietary intake of vitamin B1 (OR = 0.87) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of constipation.
• Following adjustment for multiple variables in Model 3, the odds ratio (OR) for the third tertile, compared to the first tertile (reference group), was 0.80.
• Subgroup analyses and interaction tests showed a significant inverse association between vitamin B1 intake and the prevalence of constipation, especially among men, non-hypertensive, and non-diabetic individuals.

The study identified an inverse relationship between dietary vitamin B1 intake and the prevalence of chronic constipation in the general adult population. This suggests that increasing vitamin B1 consumption through diet could lead to softer stools and improved intestinal motility, potentially easing constipation symptoms.

"Therefore, healthcare professionals should emphasize the importance of a balanced diet as a first-line therapeutic strategy before considering medical treatments," the researchers concluded.

Reference

Du, W., Lu, L., Liu, Y. et al. The association between dietary vitamin B1 intake and constipation: a population-based study. BMC Gastroenterol 24, 171 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-024-03255-2