Ginger Improves Digestive Function

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Ginger Improves Digestive Function JoAnn Guest Jan 01, 2005 23:21 PST

 

Possible Benefits for Adult-Onset Diabetics

 

By Darin Ingels, ND

 

Healthnotes Newswire (January 22, 2004)—Ginger root (Zingiber

officinale) may help improve abnormal digestive function induced by

elevated blood sugar, reports The Journal of Pharmacology and

Experimental Therapeutics (2003;307:1098–103). The potential implication

of this finding is that people with adult-onset diabetes (type 2 or

non-insulin-dependent diabetes) may experience fewer of the

gastrointestinal complications that often occur with that disease.

 

In the new study, 22 healthy adults between the ages of 19 and 49 years

underwent four different electrogastrographic (EGG) studies. (An EGG

measures the rhythm of stomach contractions by placing electrodes over

the abdomen.) Following ingestion of 1,000 mg of ginger root, the first

EGG was performed after administration of intravenous glucose (to reach

blood levels of 250 to 290 mg/dl) and the second after taking

misoprostol (a substance known to disrupt the normal rhythm of the

stomach).

 

For the third and fourth EGGs, participants were given a placebo

followed by the same administration of first glucose and then

misoprostal.

Each of the four EGG studies was recorded and analyzed for changes in

normal stomach rhythm and rate of stomach emptying.

 

Ginger root significantly reduced the disruptive effect of elevated

blood sugar on stomach rhythm and helped maintain a normal rate of

stomach emptying, while the stomach rhythm and contractions were

increased following taking a placebo.

 

Similar results were observed after taking misoprostol; however, these

results were not statistically significant. These findings suggest

ginger root helps prevent abnormalities in stomach rhythm and emptying

that could lead to constipation, heartburn, and ulceration in some

individuals.

 

Although the current study was performed on healthy adults, the effects

of ginger root may be useful in treating those with adult-onset

diabetes.

 

High blood sugar levels are known to disrupt the normal function of the

stomach, and people with uncontrolled diabetes may have blood sugar

levels that exceed those reached in the current study. Diabetics with

stomach problems also tend to respond favorably to medications that

normalize stomach rhythm and correct delayed emptying.

Although controlling blood sugar is the most important thing diabetics

can do to prevent complications associated with diabetes, ginger may

help provide symptomatic improvement while they work on bringing their

blood sugar down.

 

Since the study did not specifically examine those with adult-onset

diabetes, it is unknown whether ginger would provide the same benefits

in improving stomach function. Nonetheless, ginger is generally safe and

may be worth trying for people with diabetes-related stomach disorders.

 

Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue

University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr

University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural

Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments

for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice

at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where

he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a

regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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