Ginger Helps Gastric Emptying in Dyspepsia

KAOHSIUNG, TaiwanTaking ginger capsules may provide some relief to people with functional dyspepsia by improving the delayed gastric emptying often experienced in such patients, according to a new study out of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine. Researchers published their findings in the January issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology (2011 Jan 7;17(1):105-10).

Researchers evaluated the effects of ginger on gastric motility and emptying, abdominal symptoms and hormones that influence motility in dyspepsia. The randomized, double blind trial involved 11 patients with functional dyspepsia, who were studied twice. An eight-hour fast was followed by ingestion of three capsules of ginger (1.2 g total) or placebo; one hour later, they each consumed a 500 mL low-nutrient soup. Researchers used ultrasound to measure antral area, fundus area and diameter, and the frequency of antral contractions at frequent intervals, and the gastric half-emptying time was calculated from the change in antral area. Gastrointestinal sensations and appetite were scored using visual analog questionnaires, and blood was tested for plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), motilin and ghrelin concentrations, at intervals throughout the study.

Gastric emptying was increased in those taking ginger, compared to placebomedian half-emptying time was 12.3  min. (a range of 8.5 to 17.0 min.) following ginger intervention, and 16.1 min. ( range of 8.3 to 22.6 min.) after placebo (P 0.05). There was a trend for more antral contractions (P = 0.06) in the ginger group, but there was no observed effect on fundus dimensions, gastrointestinal symptoms, serum concentrations of GLP-1, motilin and ghrelin. Researchers concluded, Ginger stimulated gastric emptying and antral contractions in patients with functional dyspepsia, but had no impact on gastrointestinal symptoms or gut peptides.