Randomised controlled trialindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-SOD-113 standard review
Sparkling water eased constipation after stroke
[Effects of carbonated water intake on constipation in elderly patients following a cerebrovascular accident].
Overview
Mun JH, Jun SS. J Korean Acad Nurs 2011 · PMID 21551998 · DOI 10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.269
In a small Korean trial, elderly stroke patients drinking carbonated water for two weeks had more frequent bowel movements than those drinking tap water.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Test carbonated water for constipation.
- How was the study done?
Small randomised trial, two weeks.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
34 analysed elderly stroke patients.
- What was actually found?
Better bowel frequency and fewer symptoms.
- How large was the observed effect?
Not reported in abstract.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Sparkling water may help digestion rather than harm it.
- What are the study's limitations?
Very small and short.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Contradicts a blanket ban.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot generalise to all people.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Mun JH, Jun SS
- Journal
- J Korean Acad Nurs
- Year
- 2011
- Identifier
- PMID 21551998 DOI 10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.269
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26 + Crossref 2026-10-26
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
Not stated in abstract record
2. Research question
Does carbonated water relieve constipation in bed-ridden elderly stroke patients?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Randomised controlled trial – Double-blind randomised trial, 2 weeks (Korean-language article, English abstract)
- Population
Bed-ridden elderly patients after cerebrovascular accident
- Country
South Korea
- Period
2011
- Sample size
40 randomised; 6 dropped out
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Elderly CVA patients with constipation
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Carbonated water
- Comparator
Tap water
- Endpoints
Defecation frequency; constipation symptoms
- Statistical methods
Repeated-measures ANCOVA (laxative dose as covariate)
5. Actual results
- Results
Frequency of defecation increased significantly and constipation symptoms decreased significantly in the carbonated-water group.
- Absolute risks
not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Carbonated water intake is an effective intervention for constipation in elderly CVA patients.
6. Strengths
- Randomised, double-blind (as reported)
- Vulnerable population
7. Weaknesses
- Very small
- Short
- Effect sizes not given in abstract
- Full text in Korean not reviewed
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- RoB 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Small sample, 15% dropout.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
No effect sizes in abstract; treat as weak supporting evidence of tolerability and possible benefit.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Contradicts C-SOD-14: in a frail population, carbonated water was tolerated and improved constipation; consistent with Cuomo 2002 (I-SOD-02).
11. Independent contrary findings
None found.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Moderate.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Weak but consistent evidence that plain carbonated water is not harmful to digestion.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Larger trials.
15. Linked fact checks
- All carbonated waters of every kind (including unsweetened sparkling water) are harmful and must be avoided. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim