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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Multiple Sclerosis | Research

The effects of ginger supplementation on common gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Authors: Sahar Foshati, Maryam Poursadeghfard, Zahra Heidari, Reza Amani

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms affect more than 80% of individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Ginger is widely known for its GI relieving properties. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginger supplementation on common GI symptoms in RRMS patients.

Methods

This study was a 12-week double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial with a 3-week run-in period. The intervention (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups received 500 mg ginger and placebo (as corn) supplements 3 times a day along with main meals, respectively. At the beginning and end of the trial, the frequency and severity of constipation, dysphagia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, belching, flatulence, heartburn, anorexia, and nausea were assessed using the visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 100 mm. Totally, 49 participants completed the study. However, data analysis was performed on all 52 participants based on the intention-to-treat principle.

Results

In comparison with placebo, ginger supplementation resulted in significant or near-significant reductions in the frequency (-23.63 ± 5.36 vs. 14.81 ± 2.78, P < 0.001) and severity (-24.15 ± 5.10 vs. 11.39 ± 3.23, P < 0.001) of constipation, the frequency (-12.41 ± 3.75 vs. 3.75 ± 1.82, P < 0.001) and severity (-13.43 ± 4.91 vs. 6.88 ± 2.69, P = 0.001) of nausea, the frequency (-9.31 ± 4.44 vs. 1.56 ± 4.05, P = 0.098) and severity (-11.57 ± 5.09 vs. 3.97 ± 3.99, P = 0.047) of bloating, and the severity of abdominal pain (-5.69 ± 3.66 vs. 3.43 ± 3.26, P = 0.069).

Conclusion

Ginger consumption can improve constipation, nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain in patients with RRMS.

Trial Registration

This trial was prospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.​irct.​ir) under the registration number IRCT20180818040827N3 on 06/10/2021.
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Metadata
Title
The effects of ginger supplementation on common gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors
Sahar Foshati
Maryam Poursadeghfard
Zahra Heidari
Reza Amani
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04227-x

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