The science behind regular bowel motions, and why we chose Actazin®

If you've ever Googled your poop challenges, while consuming everything in reach that contains fibre, you're not alone. Constipation is one of the most common, least talked-about symptoms of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, hormonal change and now, a common side effect of GLP-1 supplements. When we formulated Daily Regular, we didn't want to rely on harsh stimulant laxatives or vague "fibre blend" claims. Actazin® is derived from green kiwifruit, with clinical evidence behind it shown to support regular bowel movements to get your poop regular.

What is Actazin®?

Actazin® is a freeze-dried, whole-fruit powder made from non-GMO New Zealand Hayward green kiwifruit. Nothing is stripped out, because studies show how important the skin and seeds are too. It's standardised to retain the fruit's naturally occurring fibre, enzymes and polyphenols, which is what sets it apart from generic fibre powders like psyllium husk or isolated prebiotics such as inulin, FOS and GOS.

That distinction matters for how it works in your gut, and it's the reason it's the core active in Daily Regular.

The clinical evidence

This is the part most "gut health" ingredients skip. Actazin® has been studied in multiple published human clinical trials, including a 28-day, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 85 participants. The findings:

• A daily dose of just 600mg significantly improved stool form (measured on the Bristol Stool Form Scale) and increased the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements.
• The US FDA considers an increase of more than 1 bowel movement per week to be clinically significant — and this magnitude of improvement was observed at the 600mg dose.
• Participants also reported reduced symptoms of constipation, bloating and gastric discomfort.
• Gastroenterologist Dr Richard Gearry, Professor of Medicine at the University of Otago, noted: "It was clear that Actazin worked… this treatment is effective at increasing the frequency of bowel motions each week."

Every 12g serve of Daily Regular contains 600mg of Actazin®, the exact dose used in the clinical research.

How it works

1. A fibre matrix built for bulk and hydration. Kiwifruit fibre has an unusually high capacity to swell and retain water compared with other dietary fibres, outperforming wheat bran, apple fibre and even psyllium in swelling capacity. That translates to softer, bulkier stool and a smoother, easier bowel motion.

2. Actinidin, the enzyme that eases bloating. Actazin® naturally contains actinidin, a kiwifruit-unique enzyme that helps break down protein in the upper digestive tract. This can ease the "overfull" feeling after meals and reduce bloating, particularly relevant during pregnancy when digestion naturally slows.

3. A slow-fermenting prebiotic. This is the detail most fibre supplements get wrong. Rapidly fermenting fibres like FOS, GOS and inulin can cause excess gas, wind and bloating. Because kiwifruit pectin is more complex, it's fermented slowly along the whole length of the colon, feeding beneficial gut bacteria without the gassy side effects.

4. Gentle, not a stimulant laxative. Unlike senna or bisacodyl-based laxatives, Actazin® doesn't force the bowel into action. It works with your digestive system, which is part of why it's suited to sensitive periods like pregnancy, the postpartum recovery window (yes, including that first post-birth bowel motion) and hormonal shifts more broadly.

How this helps with constipation

Constipation isn't random. It has real physiological causes: rising progesterone relaxes the digestive tract, a growing uterus puts pressure on the bowel, iron supplements are notoriously constipating, and anti-nausea medications like ondansetron can slow gut motility further. Add in the fear around that first bowel motion after birth, and it's no wonder so many women are quietly dealing with this.

Daily Regular was built around that reality, 600mg of clinically studied Actazin®, plus vitamin C and gentle electrolytes to support hydration (a frequently overlooked factor in constipation). 

Daily Regular

If you want a science-led way to support regular bowel motions during pregnancy, postpartum or hormonal change, shop Daily Regular here. It's formulated by PhD nutritionists, made in New Zealand, and mixes into water with a natural raspberry and kiwifruit flavour.

Explore the full Pregnancy and Postpartum range or read more on Constipation During Pregnancy: Causes, Remedies and Safe Solutions.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet. If constipation is severe, persistent, or accompanied by pain or bleeding, speak with your GP, midwife or LMC.