Fresh kiwi fruit freeze-dried juice has been traditionally used for constipation of elderly patients. Its effectiveness and safety was studied in 42 elderly patients (age 60–84: median age 67±6) suffering from mild to moderate constipation, taken as a food supplement of 6 capsules/3 times per day for 4 weeks following a one week control period, after receiving written informed consent. Bowel habits and generic quality of life questionnaires were monitored. Bowel habits such as evacuation time and stool quality improved from the 14^th day and continued for 28 days compared to the control period.
Quality of life in terms of external appearance (such as skin and edema), lumbago, and headache improved. In conclusion, freeze-dried fresh kiwi fruit juice had a laxative and QOL-improving effect on the elderly. No apparent adverse effects were observed.