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WASHINGTON : A new research has revealed that ginger root, a staple in many ethnic cuisines, is helpful in relieving nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, without harming the fetus. Though several drugs can treat this problem, many women fear harming their fetus, so they have become open to alternative treatments like acupressure, acupuncture, and ginger, writes study author Galina Portnoi, MD, with The Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto . Thus far, animal studies of ginger have not shown any effects on fetal development. But one study in rats revealed embryo deaths among mothers taking ginger. Two small human studies, however, found promising evidence of ginger for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Portnoi's study is the first to look at whether ginger is safe during pregnancy. The study involves two groups of women in their first trimester, the first group took ginger, and the second group did not for comparison. The women in the ginger group took ginger in various forms, 49 per cent took ginger capsules, others drank ginger tea, still others ate fresh ginger, pickled ginger, ginger cookies, candy, or sugared ginger. Of the 187 pregnancies in the ginger group, 181 babies were born; there were three miscarriages and two stillbirths, and one abortion was performed because of a chromosomal abnormality, reports Portnoi. There were eight sets of twins in this group. Three babies in the ginger group had major malformations, a heart defect, a lung abnormality, and a kidney problem. One infant girl went into puberty at age 2. The comparison group of mothers also had miscarriages, stillbirths and malformations. However, when comparing the two groups of women, the researchers found there was no significant difference in the rates of abnormalities or pregnancy complications. The only real difference was that the ginger group had more low-birth-weight babies, likely because of the numerous twins in this group, she explains. Also, if the mothers had severe stomach irritation, their fetuses may have been deprived essential nutrients, she notes. Regarding the early-puberty child, Portnoi wonders whether ginger extracts could affect hormone regulation. However, there is no evidence to support this, she adds. SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2004 THE TIMES OF INDIA http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/416714.cms |
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