The effect of ERME™ (enzyme-rich malt extract) in adults with chronic constipation

Study objective

Conventional fibre-based treatments for constipation can worsen gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain and bloating in some individuals. ERME™, an enzyme-rich malt extract shown to reduce GI fermentation, may offer a non-fermentable alternative. This study aimed to evaluate whether 4 weeks of ERME™ supplementation could improve constipation severity, stool form, and GI symptoms in adults with chronic constipation.

How does it address a real-world gut health problem?

Many patients with constipation struggle to tolerate fibre due to excessive fermentation, leading to gas, bloating, and discomfort. ERME™ may reduce fermentation while improving bowel function, offering a potentially better-tolerated option. Understanding its effect in a real-world constipation population helps determine its suitability as a complementary or alternative therapy.

Study design

Type of trial: Single-arm, open-label pilot study

Sample size and population: 20 adults with chronic constipation (KESS score ≥ 9); 15 completed the study

Duration and intervention:

  • 4-week supplementation with ERME™ (15 mL twice daily with food)

  • Daily stool and symptom diaries throughout the study

  • Baseline and Week-4 fasted methane breath samples and KESS scores

Endpoints

Primary outcome:

  • Change in constipation severity (KESS score)

  • Change in stool consistency

  • Change in weekly bowel movements (WBM)

Secondary outcomes:

  • Abdominal pain and bloating (daily symptom scores)

  • Fasting breath methane levels

  • Safety and tolerability

Results

Constipation symptoms and stool improvements

After 4 weeks of taking ERME™:

  • Overall constipation symptoms improved noticeably. People’s KESS scores (a measure of constipation severity) dropped by about one-third.

  • Stool consistency improved, shifting from hard, pellet-like stools toward more comfortable, normal stools.

  • Bowel movement frequency:

  • Across the whole group, the number of weekly bowel movements didn’t change significantly.

  • However, in people who started with very few bowel movements (once a day or less), bowel frequency almost doubled—from about 4 to 8 per week.

Digestive discomfort

Participants also reported feeling less abdominal pain and less bloating by the end of the study.

Gas fermentation (methane levels)

Just over half the group produced high levels of methane (often associated with constipation). ERME™ did not significantly change methane levels over the 4 weeks, but symptom improvements still occurred.

Safety and tolerance

No digestive side effects were reported.

Commercial relevance

How the findings support product claims:

This study demonstrates that ERME™ can significantly improve constipation severity, stool form, and key GI symptoms—without relying on fermentable fibre and without causing adverse effects. These results support the positioning of ERME™ as a well-tolerated, enzyme-based alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate fibre-driven approaches. The pilot data establish feasibility and efficacy, providing a foundation for larger controlled trials and potential commercial claims around constipation relief, symptom reduction, and improved stool form.

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