Constipation is common in the general population, especially in women and in the elderly, which can significantly affect quality of life of the individual. There is a general consumer trend to seek natural food options, also when addressing health issues such as constipation. Consumers seek tasty options and there is a paucity of tasty functional foods to address constipation. Adding natural fiber to food, like inulin-type fructans from chicory root fiber, can increase fiber intake and potentially prevent or resolve constipation issues. This study aimed to increase the body of scientific data on inulin-type fructans by way of a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Maltodextrin was used as the placebo in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to give written informed consent
• Between 18 and 75 years of age
• Have functional constipation according to the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria
• Subjects were to continue on their normal diet and agreed to not take probiotic or prebiotic products/supplements and supplemental dietary fibres for the duration of the study
• The subject agrees to complete the Patient Diary for two weeks prior to study entry and for the duration of the study
• Subject is in general good health as determined by the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects less than 18 and greater than 75 years of age
• Females who are pregnant, lactating or wish to become pregnant during the study.
• Subjects who are hypersensitive to any of the components of the test product,
• Subjects who have an obstructive or metabolic aetiology for constipation,
• Subjects who have a history of laxative abuse (greater than the daily dosage recommended on the label for any laxative),
• Subjects currently taking supplemental dietary fibres or have taken them within two weeks of the screening visit,
• Subjects who are taking a probiotic or prebiotic product/supplement or had taken them within two weeks of the screening visit

Subjects were blinded to the study treatment that they received