Chewing Qat leaves slows the whole gut transit time

Objective: Chewing leaves of the qat plant (Catha edulis) for their pleasur able central stimulant effect is a habit widespread in the Yemen and centra l areas of East Africa. Their use is believed to cause a variety of gastroi ntestinal symptoms including constipation. We studied the effect of chewing qat leaves on whole gut transit time. Methods: A prospective study in 10 healthy volunteers studied on 2 occasion s a week apart. The subjects either chewed qat 3 hours daily for 7 days or abstained from chewing qat for 7 days before the whole gut transit time mea surement. Whole gut transit time was measured using the radio-opaque makers ' technique. Results: The whole gut transit time was significantly (P=0.00255) prolonged during the qat arm compared to the control arm of the study, There was als o a significant (P=0.00585) hardening of the stools during the qat chewing ann as expressed by a lower scole on the Bristol stool form scale. Conclusions: We have confirmed by objective measurement that qat chewing sl ows the whole gut transit time. This effect is believed to be caused by the sympathomimetic action of cathinone and cathine and the astringent propert ies of tannin in qat leaves.