AIM: To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strains (BIO) on adult women with constipation in Beijing.METHODS: A total of 135 adult females with constipation were randomly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria (control).Stool frequency,defecation condition scores,stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-to-treat population of 126 subjects.In parallel,safety evaluation parameters were performed.RESULTS: At baseline,no differences were found between groups.Following consumption of test product,stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.6,P < 0.01) and 2 wk (4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 0.6,P < 0.01),vs baseline.Similarly,after 1 and 2 wk,of test product consumption,defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 1.2,P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.2,P < 0.01,respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1,P < 0.01 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1,P < 0.01,respectively) were significantly improved.Compared with the control group,stool frequency was also significantly increased (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9,P < 0.01 and 4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.6 ± 1.0,P < 0.01,respectively),and defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.1,P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.6 ± 1.1,P < 0.01,respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.0,P < 0.05 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 1.0,P < 0.01,respectively) significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption.During the same period,food intake did not change between the two groups,and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal ranges.CONCLUSION: This study suggests a beneficial effect of a fermented milk containing B.lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency,defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation constipated women after 1 and 2 wk of consumption. AIM: To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strain (BIO) on adult women with constipation in Beijing. METHODS: A total of 135 adult females with constipation were randomly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria (control). Stool frequency, defecation condition scores, stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-to -Treat population of 126 subjects. In parallel, safety evaluation parameters were performed .RESULTS: At baseline, no differences were found between groups.Following consumption of test product, stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.6 , Vs baseline.Similarly, after 1 and 2 wk, of test product consumption, defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 1.2, P <0.01) and 2 weeks <0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.2, P <0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, P <0.01 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, P <0.01, respectively) were significantly improved. Compared with the control group, stool frequency was also significantly increased (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9, P <0.01 and 4.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0, P <0.01, respectively), and defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.6 ± 1.1, P <0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs. 1.6 ± 1.1, P <0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.0, P <0.05 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 1.0, P <0.01, respectively) significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption. During the same period, food intake did not change between the two groups, and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal range. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a positive effect of a fermented milk containing B. lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency, defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation constipated women after 1 and 2 wk of consumption.