Researchers at Toho University have discovered that a natural plant compound found in rice bran and whole grains may help control how strongly the intestines contract. The findings suggest that the compound, called ferulic acid, could eventually become part of future dietary approaches for certain bowel disorders. Ferulic acid is a natural substance found in rice bran, wheat, oats and many other plant foods. They found that the compound reduced muscle contractions triggered by several natural chemicals involved in digestion. Review and analysis: This study provides an interesting biological explanation for how a natural food compound may influence gut function.