Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bran, particularly wheat bran, is a well-known dietary fiber source and is commonly used to manage various gastrointestinal issues, including constipation and diverticular disease. Blood in the stool (hematochezia or melena) is a symptom rather than a disease and can result from a range of causes, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulosis, colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. The use of bran specifically to treat "blood in stool" is not directly supported by robust clinical trials; however, increasing dietary fiber intake (such as with bran) is often recommended to reduce straining during defecation and soften stools. This, in turn, may help prevent or manage bleeding from benign anorectal conditions like hemorrhoids or fissures.

Scientific studies and clinical guidelines support fiber supplementation, including bran, to manage chronic constipation and symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. By alleviating constipation, bran may indirectly reduce the incidence of blood in the stool caused by minor anorectal trauma. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that bran can treat blood in stool from more serious causes, such as malignancy or inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, while bran is sometimes recommended in cases where bleeding is due to minor disorders related to constipation, it is not a treatment for all causes of blood in stool. Proper medical evaluation is crucial to rule out serious underlying pathology.

More about Bran
More about Blood in Stool

Other ingredients used for Blood in Stool

Other health conditions supported by Bran

Products containing Bran