Egyptian Batata (Sweet Potato: Ipomoea batatas Lam.) Juice as a Functional Food to Relieve Acid Reflux and Dyspepsia

Abstract

In Europe, use of potatoes (Solani tuberosi tuberecens) is a traditional remedy for stomach complaints. But in Egypt, uses of sweet potato (Batata) juice as a functional juice relieve acid reflux and dyspepsia. We performed a pilot study on the effectiveness and tolerability of freshly squeezed Batata juice in patients suffering from dyspeptic symptoms. Results production of Batata juice by thermal and pasteurization methods indicated that the Total chlorophyll (Chl.A and Chl.B), total carotenoids, antioxidant activity-DPPH, total phenols and vitamin C were decreased in pasteurized Batata juice compared with fresh Batata juice. After informed written consent, a total of 12 male subjects with various dyspeptic symptoms were enrolled, to drink about 100 ml of juice two times per day and whenever dyspeptic symptoms appeared for two weeks. Validated outcome measures included the gastrointestinal symptom (GIS) profile, a disease-specific health assessment questionnaire (QOLRAD). The GIS profile showed a high significant improvement in symptoms especially for nausea (3.2 ± 0.09) to (2.3 ± 0.87), abdominal cramps (2.9 ± 08) to (2.3 ± 0.7), heart burn (2.9 ± 0.78) to (1.5 ± 1.0) and retrosternal discomfort (2.8± 0.6) to (2.5 ± 0.6). Episodes of sickness, vomiting, bloating, epigastric pain, loss of appetite and early satiety were also significantly improved.