The protective effects of zinc on gastrohepatic lesions induced by various agents are reviewed. Acute gastric glandular mucosal damage produced by parenteral injection of reserpine, cold‐restraint stress or by oral administration of ethanol are prevented by zinc compounds. Hepatic lesions induced by CCl4, ethanol, alkylating agents, or cadmium are also antagonized by zinc ions. The pathological changes evoked by these agents or stress are postulated to be due to free radical production and labilization of biomembranes. These actions are thought to be sequestered or stabilized by zinc. The role of glutathione in the protective action and the involvement of mast cell degranulation in ulceration are further discussed. The data available so far indicate that zinc compounds could be used as protective agents for gastrohepatic diseases.