We evaluated the efficacy of six available oral contrast agents in improving visualization of bowel and surrounding structures on magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. Five volunteers were examined without oral contrast (baseline) and, on separate occasions, after ingestion of 600-900 cc of two positive contrasts [12.5% weight-to-volume (w/v) corn oil emulsion (COE), Redi Cat (EZ-Em Corp., Westbury, NY) mixed with 1% ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)] and four negative contrasts [220%, 105%, 85%, 60% w/v barium sulfate (Liquid HD, Liquid Polybar Plus, HD 85, reconstituted EZ Pake; EZ-Em Corp., Westbury, NY)]. Spin-echo axial and coronal T1-weighted and axial T2-weighted images were obtained in the abdomen and pelvis. Three radiologists blindly graded the images for improved visualization of bowel and surrounding structures. Data were analyzed for statistical significance using the General Linear Models algorithm. In the upper abdomen (stomach, duodenum, liver, and pancreas), COE yielded the highest mean scores (p < .0001), followed by 220% w/v barium. For the lower abdomen (ileum, colon), 220% w/v barium yielded the highest scores (p < .0001) and COE was much worse. The higher density barium preparations (220% and 105% w/v) yielded higher scores than their lower density counterparts (85% and 60%). All contrasts improved visualization of the retroperitoneum and spleen, but no one agent was best. All agents tested are superior to no agent at all. For visualization of the upper abdomen, 12.5% COE performed best. For visualization of the lower abdomen, 220% w/v barium performed best. For concurrent evaluation of both areas with one agent, 220% w/v barium performed best.