A Review of the Effect of Synbiotic Foods on Reducing and Treating Constipation in Fasted People during the Month of Ramadan

Mehrnoosh Shirdeli; Fatemeh Yaghoubi; Fateme  Sadeghi-Nodoushan; Ameneh Marzban

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v9i1.14848

Mehrnoosh Shirdeli Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan ,Iran.
Fatemeh Yaghoubi Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Fateme Sadeghi-Nodoushan Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Ameneh Marzban Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v9i1.14848

Keywords: Fasting; Sinbiotics; Constipation; Ramadan.

Abstract

Background: Fasting during Ramadan is an obligatory duty for all Muslims in the world. One of the most common side effects of fasting is constipation if fasted people do not follow a proper diet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review the effect of synbiotic foods on reducing and treating constipation in fasted people during Ramadan. Methods: Search engines including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Google scholar, Magiran, and scientific information database (SID) were applied with keywords such as Fasting, Synbiotics, Constipation, Ramadan, Digestive System, Probiotics and Prebiotics to find related articles published up to 2022. Finally, 45 articles were included in the review. Results: Synbiotics are actually oral supplements and a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics. The use of these compounds, in addition to reducing the complication of constipation, has other benefits that can be a step towards reducing the use of drugs and changing lifestyle not only this month but also at other times. Conclusion: The use of fiber-containing compounds, beneficial for the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, both microbial and to improve its peristalsis, is especially necessary in the elderly, whose peristalsis has decreased due to aging. The placement of synbiotic foods such as synbiotic dairy products will help to control this complication due to the presence of prebiotics and beneficial probiotics.