Eating marshmallows reduces ileostomy output: a randomized crossover trial

Aim
Anecdotally, many ostomates believe that eating marshmallows can reduce ileostomy effluent. There is a plausible mechanism for this, as the gelatine contained in marshmallows may thicken small bowel fluid, but there is currently no evidence that this is effective.

Conclusion
Eating marshmallows leads to a small but statistically significant reduction in ileostomy output. There was a median reduction in ileostomy output volume of 75 ml per day during the study period (P = 0.0054, 95% confidence interval 23.4–678.3) compared with the control week.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/codi.12992/full

It helps me!

But not if I, say, have a cup of hot tea and then 10 minutes later realize I need to change the bag so I eat some marshmallows; in that case, the tea triumphs. But between meals, if I eat 3-4 marshmallows, wait 10 minutes and go to change it, there is less output than if I had changed it first thing in the morning before breakfast!