Effect of Perilla Extract on Improvement on Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy volunteers without clinical diagnosed diseases with relevant effect on the gastrointestinal system or on visceral motility.

- BMI: 19-30 kg/m2

- Reduced bowel movements defined as an average of >1 and ≤ 3.5 stools per week for at least the previous 6 months

- Gastrointestinal symptoms of at least 5 points

- Male or female

- Age ≥ 30 and ≤ 70 years

- Nonsmoker

- Written consent to participate in the study

- Able and willing to follow the study protocol procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

- Subject under prescription for medication for digestive symptoms such as anti-spasmodic, laxatives and anti-diarrheic drugs or other digestive auxiliaries

- Relevant history, presence of any medical disorder or intake of medication / dietary supplements, potentially interfering with this trial at screening

- Subjects with stool frequency of ≤ 1 stool every 7 days or > 3,5 stools per week

- Subjects not willing to avoid pre- and probiotics for the duration of the study

- Intake of antibiotics in the last 4 weeks and laxatives in the last 2 weeks

- Change of dietary habits within the 4 weeks prior to screening (for instance start of a diet high in fibers)

- Pregnant subject or subject planning to become pregnant during the study; breast-feeding subject.

- Subjects with history of drug, alcohol or other substances abuse, or other factors limiting their ability to co-operate during the study.

- Participants anticipating a change in their lifestyle or physical activity levels since this may also influence the results.

- Known food intolerance or allergy.

- Subject involved in any clinical or food study within the preceding month