Approximately 60% of people suffer from constipation or diarrhea; new content for achieving the ideal 'banana stool' is launched

## Approximately 60% of people suffer from constipation or diarrhea; new content for achieving the ideal 'banana stool' is launched Constipation, diarrhea, and other bowel-related issues are common yet difficult to discuss with others, often leading to prolonged discomfort through self-prescribed remedies. In fact, a survey shows that approximately 60% of people (*) suffer from bowel irregularities such as constipation or diarrhea. On the other hand, many people do not feel improvement even after practicing general 'gut health' (Cho-katsu) methods like consuming yogurt or dietary fiber. The reasons behind this include dietary habits, lifestyle, stress, and constitution, as well as the fact that gut flora conditions and stool types vary from person to person. KEAN Health Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Keita Yamaji) will begin offering new 'Constipation/Diarrhea Content' within its gut flora testing service 'chatFLORA G' starting April 27, 2026. This service provides personalized countermeasures by combining stool conditions with gut bacteria trends. Through this service, the company aims to broaden opportunities for people to face their bowel concerns and make it easier for them to choose measures that fit them personally. *Source: KEAN Health Survey on 'Abdominal Conditions (Constipation/Diarrhea)' (2026) ### The Reality of Bowel Irregularities In conjunction with the launch of this service, KEAN Health conducted an 'Abdominal Conditions (Constipation/Diarrhea) Survey' among users of its services (*). The results showed that only 40.7% of respondents described their bowel movements as 'healthy.' The remaining 59.3% suffered from some form of bowel issue, including being prone to constipation (31.1%), prone to diarrhea (15.1%), or alternating between constipation and diarrhea (13.1%). Concerns also tended to differ by gender. 61.1% of women suffered from bowel issues, surpassing the 54.3% of men. In particular, 'prone to constipation' stood out among women at 37.2%. On the other hand, 'prone to diarrhea' was relatively high among men at 29.7%, indicating a gender difference in the type of concerns. These results suggest that bowel issues are not limited to a few people but are a familiar challenge for many. ■ 'Abdominal Conditions (Constipation/Diarrhea) Survey' - Survey Period: April 17, 2026 – April 24, 2026 - Method: Internet survey - Subjects: Users of KEAN Health's genetic and gut flora testing services - Valid Responses: 1,433 cases ### Why General Gut Health Measures Often Fail to Show Results 'Fiber for constipation.' 'Fermented foods for the gut.' 'Yogurt because it seems good for the stomach.' These 'good for the gut' measures are widely known. However, many voices say they haven't felt a change even after practicing them. Bowel irregularities involve multiple factors such as diet, lifestyle, stress, and constitution. Furthermore, because gut flora conditions and stool types vary per individual, it can be difficult to find the right direction for improvement with general measures alone. Therefore, KEAN Health developed new content that allows users to identify measures tailored to them, based on both their stool condition and gut flora test results. ### Toward a World Where Everyone Can Take Measures Suited to Them 'I’m doing gut health, but I don’t feel much change.' 'I suffer from constipation or diarrhea, but I don't know where to start reviewing.' KEAN Health developed this service with the desire to provide an opportunity for people with such concerns to discover measures that fit them. By supporting the entire process—from knowing one's stool condition and understanding gut bacteria trends from test results to adopting suitable ingredients and lifestyle habits—the company contributes to improving bowel irregularities for many people. - Those concerned about pellet-like or hard stools - Those who don't feel refreshed after a bowel movement - Those prone to diarrhea or loose stools - Those who frequently alternate between constipation and diarrhea - Those who want to review if their current gut health routine is right for them ### Features of 'Constipation/Diarrhea Content' This content consists of four steps designed to help people with bowel irregularities understand their status and find measures that fit them based on gut flora test results. 1. Check current status using the 'Bristol Stool Scale' Users confirm their current stool condition using the Bristol Stool Scale, a global indicator that classifies stool shape into seven levels. 2. Understand the causes of bowel irregularities Various factors like diet, lifestyle, stress, and constitution are involved. Users can check general causes that are likely related to their own symptoms. 3. Understand gut bacteria trends Based on gut flora test results, users can check their own bacterial trends, such as bacteria that are commonly high or low in people with similar discomforts. 4. Act with measures suited to yourself The service proposes individual measures based on stool condition and gut bacteria trends.