Constipation is common not only in adults but also in children. In particular, children who experience pain when defecating may end up holding back their next bowel movement. In addition to that, it can lead to a vicious cycle in which it becomes even more difficult to pass stool.
What’s more, constipation is not only painful, but it is also known to affect children’s ability to concentrate. Thus it is important to take measures early. In this article, we will take a closer look at the impact that constipation has on children’s academic performance and the relationship between intestinal flora and children’s brain development.
The negative impact of constipation on learning and quality of life
Constipation is a condition in which the body is unable to expel a sufficient amount of feces comfortably. Not only adults, but also children, often experience. According to a study that investigated the bowel habits of 12,307 elementary Japanese school students, the percentage of children suspected of being constipated was as high as 26.3%*1.
Additionally, a study of 1,000 high school students revealed that 20.2% were constipated and 27.0% were at risk of it. So it means roughly half of high school students are constipated or at risk of becoming constipated*2.
In addition, approximately 90% of high school students who answered that they were constipated, also answered that they “can’t concentrate on their studies.”
Besides, when we asked specifically what symptoms they feel when they are not concentrating, it was found that they feel physical and mental discomfort such as “sleepiness,” “irritability,” “feeling unwell,” and “headaches.”
Children may experience anxiety and dissatisfaction due to prolonged constipation, which can affect their daily lives.Constipation not only has a negative impact on children’s learning, but also reduces the quality of life*3. So it is a disease that should never be taken lightly.
Intestinal flora is deeply involved in children’s brain development
Nowadays, the “intestinal-brain correlation,” which is the close mutual influence between the brain and the intestines, has been attracting attention. In particular, the intestinal flora is thought to be closely related to the development of children’s brains.
Nurturing a healthy intestinal flora is very important for children’s growth. It is known that people with chronic constipation have an imbalance in their intestinal flora*4. Therefore, in order to keep the intestinal flora healthy, it is necessary to work on relieving constipation.
The formation of an infant’s intestinal flora begins during fetal development. It was previously thought that the bacterial composition of an infant’s intestinal flora would be similar to that of an adult by the age of three.
However, it has been confirmed that the intestinal flora of children and adolescents is somewhat different from that of adults. Additionaly, it is said that the development of the intestinal flora may proceed more slowly than previously thought*5,6.
The first three years of life are important for brain development. In this age, 86 billion neurons (nerve cells in the brain) develop and 100 trillion connections are formed between neurons.
Actually, The intestinal flora is revealed to be involved in the development of cognitive function. For examples, research on infants has shown a relationship between the bacterial composition of the intestinal flora and cognitive ability*7.
Besides, research on children aged 6 to 9 has also shown a correlation between a higher diversity of intestinal flora and a higher intelligence quotient (IQ)*8.
Barley is good for relieving constipation and improving intestinal flora!
In order to bring out a child’s abilities and improve their learning efficiency, it is important to prevent and improve constipation and maintain a healthy intestinal flora. Constipation is greatly affected by daily meals.
In addition, insufficient intake of dietary fiber and chronic lack of water can worsen it. If you want to work on relieving it, start by reviewing your diet.
The basic rule is to eat three balanced meals a day. In particular, breakfast is especially important for regulating bowel movements. According to a survey of elementary and junior high school students, children who don’t eat breakfast every day have a higher rate of constipation than those who eat breakfast every day*1.
To soften stool, it is a good idea to include foods rich in dietary fiber in your breakfast.
Moreover, among dietary fibers, “Fermentable dietary fiber,” which serves as food for intestinal bacteria, is a component that has attracted attention as it helps relieve constipation and improve intestinal flora.
Fermentable dietary fiber is found in foods such as grains, fruits, beans, and potatoes, but MOCHI MUGI (glutinous barley) in particular is rich in it called β-glucan. For more information on fermentable dietary fiber, please see “The power of fermentable dietary fiber, abundant in glutinous barley.”
Research has also shown that when mice fed a high-fat diet with little dietary fiber were given β-glucan, their intestinal flora improved and their cognitive function improved*9, so barley, which is rich in β-glucan, may be a useful food for children who are studying hard.
Barleys like MOCHI MUGI can be eaten by simply boiling it and mixing it into soups or salads. Check out the recipes at the link below and start eating a healthy diet!!
References
- *1 Japan Toilet Institute, Defecation Records of Elementary and Junior High School Students 2023.
- *2 Japan Toilet Institute, Questionnaire Survey on Defecation among High School Students 2021.
- *3 Wald A, et al.: Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007; 26: 227-236.
- *4 Chassard C, et al.: Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35: 828-838.
- *5 Ringel-Kulka T, et al.: PLoS One 2013; 8: e64315.
- *6 Agans R, et al.: FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2011; 77: 404–412.
- *7 Carlson AL, et al.: Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83: 148–159.
- *8 Lapidot Y, et al.: Front Pediatr 2023; 11: 1198792.
- *9 Shi H, et al.: Microbiome 2020; 8: 143.
