Nausea-Free

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is a widely known herbaceous plant with irregular shaped roots (rhizomes). It is used as a flavoring agent or spice in food. For centuries ginger was cultivated in China and India (Ayurveda), also largely produced in Nigeria, used as a traditional medicine for a range of conditions including to support digestive imbalances, pain, heartburn, nausea, indigestion and vomiting. The main ginger constituents are starch, lipids, proteins and inorganic compounds. Ginger consists in compounds gingerol, shogaols, paradols and zingerone, as well as terpenes, vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in different forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Since the body is not able to synthesize it, vitamin B6 is drawn from the diet. It is mainly found in fish, meat (chicken, pork) and liver. It is also found in products of plant origin, such as whole grains, wheat germ, bananas (and other fruits), green leafy vegetables and dried beans.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) contributes to the proper functioning of digestion (metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates), the nervous system and immunity. It is also involved in red blood cell formation and skin health.

Interstingly ginger has been studied extensively as a natural alternative to treat nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy|1|$Stanisiere J., et al. (2018). Foods, 7, 50, doi:10.3390.$, in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting|2|$Tóth B., et al. (2018). Phytomed., 50, 8-15.$, and for motion sickness, proving its effectiveness and safety.

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages from different sensors about motion and the body's positioning in space, which may be triggered in different situations including car, train, air or ship travels. The primary signs of motion sickness are nausea, dizziness, sweating and vomiting.

One recent clinical study evaluating motion sickness symptoms in individuals subject to it, through a specific questionnaire. The results indicate that supplementation with ginger effectively improves all subscores related to motion sickness manifestations during different types of land-based transportation and trip duration, compared to baseline (condition of pre-travel supplementation).|3|$Pereira Nunes C., et al. (2020). Curr Therap Res, 92, 100591.$ 

In a research study, ginger intake prior to circular vection in individuals with history of motion sickness, showed reduced nausea, rate of electric activity in the stomach (tachygastria) and vasopressin release, compared to individuals taking placebo (a substance designed to have no therapeutic effect).|4|$Lien H.C., et al. (2003). Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol., 284, G481-G489.$

The presence of gingerols and shogaols in ginger extracts seem to accelerate gastric emptying and stimulate antral contractions, by their activity on cholinergic M receptors and serotonergic 5-HT and 5-HT receptors. The efficacy of ginger root on the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting and gastric motility of various origins has been demonstrated in human studies.|5|$Giacosa A., et al. (2015). Eur. Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 19, 1291-1296.$

Although a systematic review of human trials have reported that vitamin B6, a common first-line treatment for nausea, improves mild to moderate nausea, it does not significantly reduce vomiting. The therapeutic effect of vitamin B6 remains unknown. Despite these results, a few comparative studies assessing the efficacy of ginger versus vitamin B6 supplementation reported no significant difference in terms of efficacy between the two groups of participants. Ginger and vitamin B6 seem to have equivalent beneficial effects in some studies, while other results favor one supplementation or the other.6

1 Stanisiere J., et al. (2018). How safe is ginger rhizome for decreasing nausea and vomiting in women during early pregnancy. Foods, 7, 50, doi:10.3390.

2 Tóth B., et al. (2018). Ginger (Zingiber officinale): An alternative for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: A meta-analysis. Phytomed., 50, 8-15.

3 Pereira Nunes C., et al. (2020). Clinical evaluation of the use of ginger extract in the preventive managaement of motion sickness. Curr Therap Res, 92, 100591.

4 Lien H.C., et al. (2003). Effects of ginger on motion sickness and gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by circular vection. Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol., 284, G481-G489.

5 Giacosa A., et al. (2015). Can nausea and vomiting be treated with ginger extract? Eur. Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 19, 1291-1296.

6 Matthews A., et al. (2010). Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev., 8(9), CD007575.