Pineapple juice ingestion for gastric discomfort in diabetic gastroparesis

Diabetes mellitus with associated gastropathy has also been described as a risk factor for phytobezoar forma- tion (1). The dissolution of phytobezoars with the use of pineapple juice has been reported (2,3). Here we describe a patient with diabetes mellitus type 2 and gastroparesis whose gastric discomfort was relieved by the ingestion of pineapple juice. A 49-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus, abdominal distension and anemia was referred to our clinic for endoscopic evaluation. Two years prior to re- ferral, the patient had begun to use insulin therapy due to his diabetes being poorly controlled. Gastroscopy showed undigested food in the stomach without findings of gas- tric outlet obstruction (Fig. 1). Pineapple juice ingestion was suggested to the patient as a treatment option, and he began drinking 75 ml of Dimes® 100% pineapple juice 3 times a day (after each meal). After 3 days of this treat- ment, repeat gastroscopy revealed an empty stomach (Fig. 2). At this time the patient reported that his gastric discomfort had resolved.