Physical Health

Digestive Health

About Digestive Health — Physical Health.

Bloating, IBS, gut issues, SIBO, leaky gut, and general digestive discomfort.

11studies analysed

2compounds with evidence

Meta-analysisstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

Tried something for Digestive Health? Share how it went — only ever published as part of a group of 10+.

5linked compounds

20linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for Digestive Health.

Figures as the studies reported them.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Peppermint OIL

18 of 24 results reported a benefit

9 studies, including a review of trials

Reviews pooling mostly small, older trials of enteric-coated capsules favour peppermint oil, but the two newest trials (189 people in 2020, and a 2021 US trial) missed their main measures, and a 2022 review rated the evidence very low quality.

Abdominal pain95%higher chance than the comparison groupAverage of 2 results (from 78% higher chance than the comparison group to 2.14 times the chance of the comparison group) · 2 reviews of trials7 of 9 results reported a benefit2019 study 1 ↗2014 study 2 ↗
Overall IBS symptoms2.31 timesthe chance of the comparison groupAverage of 2 results (from 2.23 times the chance of the comparison group to 2.39 times the chance of the comparison group) · 2 reviews of trials4 of 7 results reported a benefit2019 study 1 ↗2014 study 2 ↗
IBS symptom severityNo clear differencenegligible standardised effect1 randomised trial1 of 2 results reported a benefit2021 study ↗

No figure given: Abdominal discomfort (reported a benefit).

Also measured alongside: Bloating (abdominal distension) (reported a benefit); Gut noises (borborygmi) (reported a benefit); Stool frequency (reported a benefit); and 2 more.

Every result

Psyllium

2 of 5 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

Constipation reliefReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedPsyllium improved Constipation response and stool frequency, psyllium subgroup with no comparator reported in 1251.1 review of trials2022 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Gut bacteria composition (unclear); Gut short-chain fatty acids (unclear); Stool water content (reported a benefit).

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

Digestive Health: findings by compound

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Peppermint OIL	30	9	Benefit: 18; no benefit: 6; harm: 4; unclear: 2; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Psyllium	5	2	Benefit: 2; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 3; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for Digestive Health

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: Digestive Health. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
Peppermint OILResearch score 51/100 · Moderate	5 systematic reviews/meta-analyses + 4 randomised trials — 9 studies	18/30 outcomes showed benefit Abdominal pain (relative risk of pain not improving)24% lower risk than the comparison groupbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures 0.76 (95% CI 0.62-0.93; 95% CI 4-24) n=1030 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1030 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 35942669 Global IBS symptoms (relative risk of not improving)35% lower risk than the comparison groupbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures 0.65 (95% CI 0.43-0.98; 95% CI 2.5-71) n=1030 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1030 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Systematic review and meta-analysis: efficacy of peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 35942669 Abdominal pain78% higher chance than the comparison groupbenefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures 1.78 (95% CI: 1.43, 2.20; p < 0.00001) n=835 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 835 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 30654773 Global symptom improvement2.39 times the chance of the comparison groupbenefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures 2.39 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93, 2.97; p < 0.00001) n=835 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 835 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 30654773 +26 more outcomes →
PsylliumResearch score 43/100 · Limited	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies	2/5 outcomes showed benefit Microbial composition (healthy adults)Unclear result — measurement not reportedunclear2019 study ↗ Exact figures n=8 · Follow-up: 7 days · Sample (as reported): 8 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Psyllium Husk on Intestinal Microbiota in Constipated Patients and Healthy Controls · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 30669509 Constipation response and stool frequency, psyllium subgroupReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures n=1251 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 1251 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Chronic Constipation in Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 35816465 Fecal water contentReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: 7 days · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Psyllium Husk on Intestinal Microbiota in Constipated Patients and Healthy Controls · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 30669509 Fecal short-chain fatty acid levels (acetate, propionate)Unclear result — measurement not reportedunclear2019 study ↗ Exact figures n=16 · Follow-up: 7 days · Sample (as reported): 16 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The Effect of Psyllium Husk on Intestinal Microbiota in Constipated Patients and Healthy Controls · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 30669509 +1 more outcome →

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

No community reports published yet.

We publish digestive health results only once at least 10 people report on the same compound, so no individual report is ever shown.

Peppermint OIL
Research saysResearch score 51/100 · Moderate7 of 9 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Psyllium
Research saysResearch score 43/100 · Limited2 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports