Benefiber vs. Miralax: Are They Worth Your Money?

According to studies, more than 90% of Americans don’t consume the recommended daily fiber intake of 25–38g. 

Lower fiber intake may cause bowel irregularities, but specialists are now aware that fiber benefits go far beyond preventing constipation.

A diet rich in fiber is essential for good health. Fiber promotes colon health and regular bowel movements. Stools are easier to pass because fiber gives them more bulk and holds water.

Other benefits of healthy fiber intake include better blood sugar control, reduced heart disease risk, and weight management.

Many people turn to fiber supplements as a quick fix, but which are the best?

This article compares Benefiber vs. Miralax, two of the most popular over-the-counter fiber supplements.

Comparison Table

Here is how Benefiber and Miralax compare against another popular fiber supplement – ColonBroom. This table shows the product information, its benefits, pros, and cons.  

What Is Benefiber?

Benefiber is a soluble, fermentable fiber supplement that may be purchased over the counter. It is created by processing wheat kernels and removing a starchy component called dextrin.

Wheat dextrin disintegrates in water and is tasteless.

Wheat dextrin is frequently used as a thickening agent in processed foods and is generally regarded by the FDA as safe.

Dextrin is thought to be gluten-free even though it is comprised of wheat. Due to its low gluten content – less than 20 parts per million –Benefiber claims its product is gluten-free, sugar-free, rich in probiotics, and has natural ingredients. However, there is no clinical evidence to support these claims.

Benefiber manufacturers also list other uses for their bulk powder, such as blending it with other beverages, such as coffee and tea, or using it in baking and cooking.

Benefits

• It is natural, sugar and gluten-free
• You can buy it in bulk since it has a two-year shelf life
• It disintegrates in liquids and doesn’t have a gritty taste

How does Benefiber work?

A key component of Benefiber is wheat dextrin, which works by promoting regular bowel movements. Dextrin forms softer, bulkier stools by absorbing water from your intestines. 

The stools move through your digestive tract more easily, helping you have simpler bowel movements. Additionally, the frequency of your bowel movement increases after using these supplements.

Benefiber is a dietary fiber supplement that also suppresses hunger and makes you feel full longer.

What Is Miralax?

Miralax is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) drug which falls within the osmotic laxative category. Miralax is used to prevent constipation. Although it’s typically used as a short-term treatment, it can also treat chronic constipation in some circumstances. Miralax is also used for bowel preparation for colonoscopies.

Most people experience a bowel movement after 1–3 days of using Miralax. According to research, Miralax effectively treats chronic constipation in adults, children, and the elderly and improves stool consistency and frequency.

How does Miralax work?

Miralax contains polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative. That means it attracts water into the colon, which eases the stool and can naturally induce colon contraction. These actions facilitate bowel movements.

After starting Miralax, it can take 1 to 3 days before you have a bowel movement. Do not take an overdose or take it more frequently than directed by your doctor or pharmacist. 

Also, don’t use Miralax for longer than two weeks unless your doctor advises you to. If constipation persists or gets worse, let your doctor know. 

Benefiber Key Ingredients 

Benefiber comes in various forms, including powder, tablets, and chewable.

Here are the typical ingredients:

#1 Wheat dextrin

Wheat dextrin is the active ingredient of Benefiber Original. Benefiber says wheat dextrin supports digestive health by giving the stool more bulk as it dissolves in water, speeding up digestion, and nourishing the good bacteria in the gut biome.

Studies about wheat dextrin supplementation show that dextrin promotes regular bowel movements by increasing fecal output. The study also found that wheat dextrin is a soluble fiber that can be fermented, but because it ferments gradually, users are less likely to have uncomfortable severe gas symptoms.

#2 Citric acid

Citric acid is a common industrial ingredient in medications and dietary supplements. In addition to improving or masking the flavor of chewable and syrup-based medications, it’s added to medicines to help stabilize and maintain the active ingredients.

Citric acid is used to keep Benefiber powder fresh for longer.

#3 Maltodextrin

Although maltodextrin comes from wheat and is derived from plants, it has undergone extensive processing making it gluten-free.

Digestion-resistant maltodextrin improves digestion in general. It can enhance gastrointestinal processes like bowel transit time, stool volume, and consistency.

#4 Aspartame

Benefiber is available in powder with an orange flavor that uses aspartame as a sweetener. This artificial sweetener is present in chewable form also.

Being a low-calorie sweetener, aspartame allows you to enjoy Benefiber lowering your intake of added sugars while still getting a satisfying sweet taste.

Anecdotal reports question aspartame’s safety; however, according to research, people with diabetes are advised to consume aspartame-made foods and beverages instead of those sweetened with sugar to help them satisfy their sweet tooth.

Miralax Ingredients 

#1 Polyethylene glycol

The active ingredient in Miralax is polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative used to treat occasional constipation. It works by retaining water in the stool. This increases bowel movements and eases the stool.

Comparing Taste: Benefiber vs. Miralax

Both Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) and Benefiber are tasteless and dissolve entirely in soft foods and non-carbonated drinks, allowing them to be used as food additives without messing up the flavor. 

Examples of drinks to mix with these supplements include water, juice, coffee, or tea. Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) and Benefiber are gluten, sugar, and preservative-free, the best choices for people with food restrictions.

How Much Does Benefiber Cost?

Many stores sell Benefiber, including Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Target, CVS, AND Walgreens. The prices vary depending on the retailer and the form you select. Benefiber is available in various formats, such as bulk powders to dilute with water, portable single-serve packets, and a chewable.

A 125 serving of Benefiber powder in a bulk canister costs about $20. A 30-day supply of the recommended 3 servings daily will cost you $15.

A 30-day supply of the recommended 9 tablets daily of Benefiber chewable tablets costs $48.

How Much Does Miralax Cost?

Miralax is available in a bottle or in single-dose sachets. You can purchase the quantity that works best for you.

A 7-dose bottle, for example, costs between $6.89 and $14.91, depending on where you buy it.

You can download a coupon from the official Miralax website to receive a $1 discount on your purchase. Individual retailers determine their return policies.

You can get Miralax online or physically at popular locations such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, and CVS.

Is Benefiber or Miralax Better for Weight Loss?

Over-the-counter fiber supplements and laxatives, such as Miralax or Benefiber, are not approved as weight loss products and are not likely to directly impact weight loss. 

You must consume a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and incorporate physical activity into your daily routine to maintain a healthy weight management plan.

However, Benefiber claims you can use it as part of your weight loss plan to lose weight quickly.

This assertion is based on a study that found wheat dextrin supplements could temporarily increase meal satiety in some overweight persons.

The study found that satiety increases are associated with decreased levels of hunger. Although the trial did not include Benefiber chewable, the ingredients used were similar.

Weight loss products, plans, and medical professionals advise consuming fiber and laxatives to make the body feel fuller for longer and help food move faster through your system. This may lead to less calorie absorption, decrease your appetite, and help with weight loss.

However, laxatives do very little to limit calorie absorption. Most of the calories in food and drink are absorbed in the small intestine. Laxatives like Miralax only work on the large intestine. Therefore the majority of calories are absorbed before they reach the large intestine.

Although you may lose a few pounds shortly after taking a laxative, This is typically caused by water loss, and the weight will return as soon as you eat or drink something.

How We Tested

We research, test, evaluate, and independently suggest the top products. Here is how we test products:

Quality

We only offer recommendations for dietary supplements supported by a substantial body of high-quality research. If new data raises questions about product safety, we won’t suggest it. We are in favor of scientifically sound, evidence-based dietary supplements.

Effectiveness

Before we test products, we read the latest studies and reviews on the product’s effectiveness and safety and interview professionals, including certified trainers, registered dietitians, and more. 

Price

We assess the pricing point to see whether you are getting value for your money and if there are any additional fees or charges that are not disclosed. Fiber supplements must be within an affordable price range to enable sustained use over an extended period.

Brand reputation

We check for brands that a third party has tested and research the company’s methods to test its products so we can be confident in our recommendation.

Conclusion

Overall, you can select the fiber or solution based on your needs, but since these two options differ, if you have occasional constipation, you may want to take a laxative like Miralax. Benefiber will be beneficial if you want a healthy amount of fiber and to achieve bowel regularity.

While wheat dextrin has been demonstrated to enhance digestive health, as the product claims, alternative fiber supplements with ingredients such as psyllium husk have been more successful in presenting a range of health benefits.

Psyllium husk is found in the fiber supplement ColonBroom, and it has been found to reduce the risk of heart health by lowering bad cholesterol.

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