Postprandial walking but not consumption of alcoholic digestifs or espresso accelerates gastric emptying in healthy volunteers.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized crossover trial
What was done
Ten healthy male volunteers consumed a 576 kcal meal followed immediately in randomized order by 40 ml of water, espresso, 40% (v/v) ethanol, 70% (w/v) glucose, or four alcoholic digestifs (brandy, herb-flavored liqueur, aquavit, and Williams pear brandy, each 40% v/v ethanol). On an additional trial, subjects drank 40 ml of water and walked slowly (4 km/h) on a treadmill. Gastric half-emptying time (t 1/2) was assessed by ultrasonography, and postprandial satiety, fullness, and bloating were rated every 10 minutes on a visual analogue scale.
What was found
Gastric half-emptying time with water was 123 ± 5 min. Emptying times were not significantly different with brandy (119 ± 9 min), herb-flavored liqueur (123 ± 10 min), aquavit (125 ± 9 min), Williams pear brandy (126 ± 6 min), or espresso (125 ± 9 min). Postprandial walking significantly accelerated gastric half-emptying (107 ± 5 min, p = 0.02). Dyspeptic symptoms remained unchanged across all conditions, and blood ethanol concentrations were below detection (< 5 mg/dl).
Why it matters
Contrary to common belief, postprandial consumption of alcoholic digestifs or espresso does not promote gastric emptying or relieve dyspeptic sensations, whereas light postprandial walking does speed emptying.
Limits
The trial had a very small sample size (n = 10) and included only healthy male participants, limiting generalizability to females and patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders. Numerical results for the 40% ethanol and 70% glucose control conditions are omitted in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Taking an evening walk aids circadian rhythms and improves digestion.