Nutr Health. 2021 Apr 8;2601060211004784. doi: 10.1177/02601060211004784.Online ahead of print.

Hajara Aslam ¹, Mohammadreza Mohebbi ², Anu Ruusunen ^1 3 4, Samantha L Dawson ^1 5, Lana J Williams ¹, Michael Berk ^1 6, Kara L Holloway-Kew ¹, Fiona Collier ^1 7 8, Amy Loughman ¹, Julie A Pasco ^1 7 9 10, Felice N Jacka ^{1 11 12 10}

Author information

• ¹98475Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Australia.
• ²98475Deakin University, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Australia.
• ³Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
• ⁴Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
• ⁵Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Australia.
• ⁶Department of Psychiatry and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Department, Orygen, The Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
• ⁷Barwon Health, Australia.
• ⁸Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease, Australia.
• ⁹Department of Medicine - Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
• ¹⁰Joint senior Authors.
• ¹¹Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australia.
• ¹²Black Dog Institute, Australia.

Abstract

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the association between dairy consumption and constipation in the general adult population.

Design: Data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study were used to assess the association between dairy consumption and constipation in women (n=632) and men (n=609). Information on milk, yogurt and cheese, and constipation were self-reported. Total dairy was calculated by summing the intake of milk, yogurt and cheese and expressed as servings per day. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for irritable bowel syndrome, major depressive disorders, mobility, body mass index, age and fibre intake were used to examine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between the consumption of categories of total dairy, milk, yogurt, cheese, and constipation.

Results: In women, consumption of 1-2 servings/d of total dairy was associated with reduced odds for constipation (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26-0.90; P=0.021) compared to consuming <1 serving/d of total dairy after adjusting for covariates. Also, consumption of 1-4 servings/d of milk was associated with marginally reduced odds for constipation (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.39-1.02; P=0.058) compared to women who consumed <1 serving/d of milk after adjusting for covariates. There were no significant associations detected between other types of dairy consumption and constipation in women, and none in men.

Conclusion: In women, consumption of moderate amounts of dairy is associated with reduced odds for constipation whereas in men no associations were detected between dairy consumption and constipation. Further studies are warranted to confirm results.