Surprising
N-acetylcysteine boosted stomach lining visibility from 3% to 65% — but only as a pre-endoscopy prep, not a daily supplement.
This large RCT shows NAC can drastically improve mucosal visibility during endoscopy, but the effect is specific to a single procedure setting and doesn't support broader use; the novelty means replication is needed.
In a double-blind trial of 1,200 people undergoing endoscopy, those who took a mix of simethicone and N-acetylcysteine 20–30 minutes before the procedure had adequate stomach lining visibility in 65–67% of cases, versus just 2.7% on placebo. However, the same study found no improvement in detecting stomach lesions, and the dose used wasn't reported — so this is a finding about endoscopy prep, not a general health benefit.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on N-Acetyl Cysteine for Improved Gastric Mucosal Visibility — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- n = 1,200
- 2026-04-10
- Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
- PubMed: 41960652
- DOI: 10.1111/jgh.70392
- Full study breakdown →
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.