GERD affects 20-30% of the Western population. The standard treatment — proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) — reduces acid but doesn't fix the mechanical problem. Slow gastric emptying keeps food and acid in the stomach longer, increasing pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The Mechanical Problem
GERD isn't always about too much acid. In many cases, it's about acid in the wrong place because the stomach empties too slowly. When the stomach stays full longer:
- Pressure on the LES increases
- The LES opens inappropriately
- Acid refluxes into the esophagus
- Inflammation damages the esophageal lining
PPIs address step 4 (less acid = less damage) but not steps 1-3. This is why many GERD patients still experience reflux on PPIs — they reduce acid but not the mechanical reflux itself.
The Prokinetic Solution
Ginger accelerates gastric emptying by 25% (Wu et al., European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2008). This directly addresses the root cause — food moves through the stomach faster, reducing the window for reflux.
| GERD Mechanism | PPI Approach | Ginger Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric emptying | No effect | +25% faster |
| Acid production | Reduced 80-90% | No direct effect |
| LES pressure | No effect | Reduced (less gastric pressure) |
| Esophageal inflammation | Indirect (less acid) | Direct (NF-kB inhibition) |
| Nausea | No effect | 5-HT3 antagonism |
The Sugar Problem
Sugar slows gastric emptying and increases gastric fermentation, producing gas that forces acid upward. A "ginger" product with 34g sugar per 100ml literally cancels the prokinetic benefit.
The Product
INTI — organic ginger + turmeric + black pepper, 1.19g sugar per 100ml. The prokinetic that doesn't slow you down.
Treating reflux with acid blockers alone is like treating a flood by waterproofing your basement. The water is still coming in.
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