Does ginger really soothe stomach pain?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Ginger has been used as a remedy for digestive problems for centuries and remains popular today. But is ginger really effective in soothing stomach aches?

The question is, is there any scientific basis for ginger's effectiveness in treating nausea and other stomach problems? In fact, ginger-containing supplements are among the best-selling supplements in the United States.

Dr. Michael Curley, a gastroenterologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire (USA), says that only a few relatively small studies have answered those questions. And most of those studies have focused specifically on nausea and vomiting.

Some small studies suggest that ginger may alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting (Illustrative image: Hopkinsmedicine).

How can ginger help?

According to Dr. Megan Crichton of Queensland University of Technology in Australia, ginger contains two pungent compounds – gingerol and shogaol – which are thought to reduce nausea by blocking pathways involved in nausea in the gut and brain, thereby preventing the vomiting center in the brain from being activated.

Dr. Keshab Paudel, a pharmacist and physician specializing in ginger research in the U.S., added that some limited evidence also suggests that ginger supplements may reduce symptoms by speeding up stomach emptying.

Dr. Crichton stated that most studies on ginger and nausea have used supplements containing dried ginger root powder, which have been shown to help reduce nausea in people who are pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, or have recently had surgery.

For example, in a 2025 review of studies, Dr. Paudel and his colleagues found that pregnant women who consumed 500 to 1,500 mg of ginger supplements daily experienced improved nausea symptoms, but they did not vomit less.

According to TODAY.com , in a 2024 clinical trial involving approximately 100 people undergoing chemotherapy, Dr. Crichton and colleagues found that when participants consumed 1,200mg of ginger powder daily with food (from the start of chemotherapy and for the following four days), they experienced less nausea compared to patients receiving a placebo.

There is very little research on how ginger can help reduce more acute nausea, such as nausea caused by stomach aches, hangovers, or motion sickness. And there is also little information on ginger's effectiveness for other gastrointestinal conditions such as indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome.

However, a small study from 2023 concluded that it may help reduce the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, a type of chronic indigestion. Participants reported improvements in heartburn, pain, and burning sensations in the upper abdomen.

Which type is effective?

Ginger comes in many forms. You can eat it raw or as a spice, drink it with tea or soda, suck on it as a lozenge, or swallow it as a capsule. However, there is little data on how the different forms compare when it comes to soothing the stomach.

Dr. Joshua Forman, a gastroenterologist at St. Joseph Medical Center at the University of Maryland (USA), often recommends that patients suffering from nausea try ginger supplements.

He said they provide a more consistent dose than raw ginger or ginger-containing foods and drinks, and are better tolerated by those who don't like the taste of ginger.

He recommended taking 500mg twice a day to treat nausea caused by chronic issues, such as morning sickness, or by short-term conditions like stomach aches, hangovers, and motion sickness, although there is little research on the effectiveness of ginger in those cases.

Dr. Crichton added that other products containing ginger, such as beer, tea, and ginger-flavored candy, may also help reduce nausea, but very little research has been done on them. And they are often less concentrated than supplements, so you may have to consume more to achieve the same effect.

Ginger in any form is generally considered safe; however, Dr. Crichton advises that people taking medications, including blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and medications for blood pressure or diabetes, should consult their doctor before regularly consuming ginger.

Although serious side effects are rare, people may experience increased burping after consuming ginger.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/gung-co-thuc-su-lam-diu-con-dau-da-day-20251009070910470.htm