Kiwi and Tooting

NEW ZEALAND: Kiwifruit may help flatulence27.sep.09The New Zealand HeraldHeather McCracken

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10599875&ref=rss <http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10599875&ref=rss>

We've all had those awkward moments when a roomful of people tries to ignore a less-than-fragrant blast from someone's nether regions.It's bad enough at work - but much worse on the bus or, heaven forbid, in a lift.Now help could be on the way, with the humble kiwifruit thought to hold the key to an embarrassing condition affecting hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.

Up to one in five men and one in four women suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), with flatulence and constipation among common symptoms.The fruit contains an enzyme called zyactinase, and a small study has shown it could provide relief for IBS sufferers.

"People think of kiwifruit for constipation but it also seemed to be quite good for general irritable bowel," said gastroenterologist Dr Russell Walmsley, who worked on the research.Overseas studies have shown up to 24 per cent of women and 19 per cent of men in developed countries suffer from IBS.Walmsley said New Zealand statistics would be "in the same ballpark".

Stress is a common trigger and sufferers who have had more symptoms than usual could blame the recession.

Tags: humour, humor