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Ginger supplement review

Originating in southeast Asia, the root of the ginger plant is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. In addition to its use in cooking, ginger root has been used as a herbal medicine for thousands of years. Here we review some of the clinical evidence for use of ginger supplements as a natural treatment.

There are at least fourteen known bioactive compounds that can be found in the ginger root, which can vary depending on source and form.

Ginger supplement review – what are the claims?

Ginger root extract as a natural remedy is typically associated with its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting commonly associated with motion sickness or pregnancy-associated morning sickness. However, researchers have been investigating the potential for ginger to be used as a supplement for a variety of conditions due to its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

Ginger for rheumatoid arthritis

A clinical trial investigating the effects of ginger supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported some favourable results. A total of 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. The patients were divided into two groups; one group was given supplementation in the form of ginger powder (1500mg), while the other group was given a placebo. Each group took their assigned supplements each day for a twelve-week period.

Before and after this twelve-week period, the researchers assessed the patients for markers of inflammation – as an indicator of the effects of the ginger supplement. The study found that supplementing with ginger was associated with beneficial changes in markers of inflammation as well as reductions in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity scores. 

Ginger for osteoarthritis

Three clinical trials investigating ginger supplementation for knee osteoarthritis have provided positive results. Two of the clinical trials compared patients with knee osteoarthritis who were assigned to take 500mg of a ginger powder supplement with patients who took a placebo supplement, for a three-month period. After three months of taking ginger, there were significant improvements in markers of inflammation – with pro-inflammatory molecules reduced in patients who were taking the ginger supplements.

In another double-blind randomized controlled trial, participants with knee osteoarthritis were given either a 1g powdered ginger supplement or a placebo, for a total period of eight weeks. In this study, researchers assessed the effects of ginger using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score – which is a questionnaire used to assess outcomes following knee injury. This study did not report improvements in joint pain or quality of life compared with participants who were not taking the ginger supplement. There were, however, no significant side effects noted at this dose.

Ginger for type 2 diabetes

Clinical trials have evaluated the ability of ginger supplements to impact on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes. In patients taking 3g ginger powder supplements for three months, researchers reported significant changes in serum glucose, HbAc1, insulin, and insulin resistance.

Another randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 88 diabetes patients, who took either ginger (3g powder) or placebo, for a total period of eight weeks. This study reported reductions in fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, in addition to reported improvements in insulin resistance.

Ginger supplements have even demonstrated positive effects at lower levels. A clinical trial that treated patients with a 1600mg ginger supplement reported reductions in fasting glucose, HbAc1, insulin, and cholesterol when compared to patients in the placebo group.

Ginger for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is associated with significant oxidative stress, leading researchers to investigate whether the antioxidant activity of ginger may be beneficial for patients with this condition. Patients with ulcerative colitis were given ginger powder (2g per day) for a 12-week period, and compared to patients who were taking placebo for the same amount of time. This study reported significant improvements in disease severity scores and quality of life scores at the 12-week timepoint for patients who were taking the ginger supplement, suggesting the possibility of this supplement to benefit patients with mild-moderate active ulcerative colitis.

Ginger for hypertension

Several clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of ginger supplements at reducing blood pressure. These studies have demonstrated reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. According to a study that reviewed the effects of ginger supplements for hypertension, (a meta-analysis – where individual study data is pooled and assessed), these effects might be dependent on patient age, length of time the supplements were taken, and doses of ginger that were administered.

Are there any side effects of taking ginger?

As with any supplement, it is important to be aware of any side effects that may occur, medications that should not be combined with any supplements, or any medical conditions that make it dangerous to take a particular supplement. This is why you should always seek medical advice from your doctor before beginning to take any supplements.

A review of these studies suggests typical side effects of ginger supplements should be anticipated, which may include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and heartburn.

References:

Bode AM, Dong Z. The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

Aryaeian N, Shahram F, Mahmoudi M, et al. The effect of ginger supplementation on some immunity and inflammation intermediate genes expression in patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Gene. 2019;698:179-185. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2019.01.048

Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, et al. Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):157. Published 2020 Jan 6. doi:10.3390/nu12010157

Shidfar F, Rajab A, Rahideh T, Khandouzi N, Hosseini S, Shidfar S. The effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on glycemic markers in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Complement Integr Med. 2015;12(2):165-170. doi:10.1515/jcim-2014-0021

Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Talaei B, Jalali BA, Najarzadeh A, Mozayan MR. The effect of ginger powder supplementation on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2014;22(1):9-16. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2013.12.017

Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Naderi Z, Dehghan A, Nadjarzadeh A, Fallah Huseini H. Effect of Ginger Supplementation on Proinflammatory Cytokines in Older Patients with Osteoarthritis: Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2016;35(3):209-218.

Niempoog S, Pawa KK, Amatyakul C. The efficacy of powdered ginger in osteoarthritis of the knee. J Med Assoc Thai. 2012;95 Suppl 1:S59-S64.

Naderi Z, Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Dehghan A, Nadjarzadeh A, Huseini HF. Effect of ginger powder supplementation on nitric oxide and C-reactive protein in elderly knee osteoarthritis patients: A 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Tradit Complement Med.

Arablou T, Aryaeian N, Valizadeh M, Sharifi F, Hosseini A, Djalali M. The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2014;65(4):515-520. doi:10.3109/09637486.2014.880671

Nikkhah-Bodaghi M, Maleki I, Agah S, Hekmatdoost A. Zingiber officinale and oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2019;43:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.021

Hasani H, Arab A, Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Ghavami A, Miraghajani M. Does ginger supplementation lower blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2019;33(6):1639-1647. doi:10.1002/ptr.6362

Image by siala from Pixabay 

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