Evaluation of Changes in Bowel Movement Frequency Following the Consumption of PHGG Compared to Placebo

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women aged 18-75.
• Adapted Rome IV Criteria of functional constipation* or IBSconstipation** for a minimum of 3 months

*1-2 SBM/week and at least 1 of the following at least 30% of the time:

• Bristol stool scale 1-2
• Straining
• Sense of incomplete evacuation
• Sense of stool blockage
• Need of digital maneuvers

• Subjects with IBS-C: the above constipation criteria + abdominal pain are allowed.
• Ability to understand the participant information sheet and instructions, and able to provide informed consent.
• Access to a suitable smartphone device (Android or iOS) with ability to download and complete the study e-Diary daily for the duration of the trial.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women or breastfeeding.
• Organic chronic gastrointestinal disease or complication (such as, but not limited to, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Microscopic colitis, Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, Radiation-related enterocolitis, Coeliac disease).
• Subjects with a diagnosed food allergy or hypersensitive to any of the components of the study product.
• Subjects with chronic diarrhea.
• Active peptic ulcer.
• Major gastrointestinal or colonic surgery (such as, gastric bypass or any other obesity or metabolic interventions including endoscopic procedures or devices, any gastro-intestinal or colonic resection); cholecystectomy and appendectomy are allowed.
• Neurologic or other clinically significant comorbid diseases that may affect gastrointestinal function, such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or Hirschsprung disease.
• Illness that may preclude the participant's ability to complete the study or that may confound the study outcomes (e.g. bowel cancer, prostate cancer, terminal illness, severe cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure or eating disorders) or any other serious illness resulting in >2 weeks inability to work in the 3 months before the study start.
• Participants with clinically significant (as per physician judgement) co-morbid illnesses such as cardiovascular, endocrine (e.g. hypothyroidism, diabetes), renal, or other chronicdisease (e.g. reduced mobility or increased fragility).
• Active alcohol, drug, or medication abuse (as per clinician judgement).
• Self-reported symptoms suggestive of pelvic organ prolapse as per clinician judgement, such as feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvic area, intra vaginal discomfort, painful intercourse, and urinary problems.
• Moderate or severe active local anorectal problems such as recurrent anal fissures, frequent bleeding, large prolapsing hemorrhoids.
• Any clinically relevant abnormalities detected during the physical examination or any alarm features in the medical history such as sudden unintentional weight loss (>10% in 3 months), frequent rectal bleeding not caused by anal fissures or hemorrhoids, recent change in bowel habit (<3 months), severe abdominal pain and stool positive for occult blood.
• Regular (i.e. daily or weekly) use of PHGG within 6 months of screening.
• Participation in another study with any investigational product within 6 months of randomization for drug study and within 2 months of randomization for a nutritional study.
• Investigator believes that the participant is physically or mentally unfit to participate in the trial.
• Participants currently of childbearing potential, but not using an effective method of contraception, as determined by the investigator.
• Any participant who is an employee of the study site or an Atlantia Clinical Trials employee or their close family member or a member of their household.