Ginger Supplementation Improves Inflammation, Metabolic Health, and Weight Control
An umbrella review found that ginger supplementation provides clinically meaningful health benefits, particularly by reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar and lipid profiles, and aiding weight management. The study was published in the journal of Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome by Musazadeh V. and colleagues.
In order to develop a scientifically valid and highly reliable clinical consensus at high tiers of evidence, an umbrella review was performed by a group of scientists. The authors conducted extensive literature searches across reputable electronic reference databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, collecting the entire body of literature since the very beginning of these databases until January 2025. In particular, the study focused on systematic reviews and meta-analyses dealing with the direct influence of ginger usage on metabolic characteristics of humans.
In addition to that, for all systematic reviews and meta-analyses considered in the study, the researchers carried out detailed data extractions to obtain the overall number of randomized controlled trials, the number of patients used, the mean age of patients, detailed daily dosages, intervention periods, and exact effect sizes of all studied physiological characteristics. Moreover, the quality of all meta-analyses included was assessed with the help of AMSTAR-2 instrument.
Key findings:
- In the current umbrella review study, a total of 36 different meta-analysis studies were considered for further analysis.
- In particular, there were 296 unique clinical trials analyzed, where a total number of 43,570 human subjects have been used.
- It is important to mention that ginger intake was associated with the decrease of inflammatory factors.
- There were changes in C-reactive protein (WMD −0.42−(−1.00) mg/L), and interleukin-6 (WMD −0.45−(−2.26) pg/mL) concentrations.
- Fasting blood sugar values were reduced according to most meta-analyses in the reviewed studies (WMD −0.68−(−18.81) mg/dL, respectively).
- Also, there were HbA1c decreases (WMD −0.27%−(−1.66%) noted.
- In addition, the levels of such parameters as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; WMD −0.54−(−1.67)) and circulating insulin (WMD −0.54−(−1.69)) were enhanced significantly.
- In terms of cardiovascular lipid profile, the serum triglycerides (WMD −0.61−(−24.80) mg/dL), total cholesterol (WMD −0.33−(−13.31) mg/dL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD −0.30−(−11.22) mg/dL) concentrations were decreased.
- Significant changes were observed for cellular antioxidant defense.
- In particular, there were malondialdehyde reductions, and an increase in glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity levels.
In summary, the present umbrella review has conclusively shown that the supplementation of ginger has clinical significance regarding its ability to improve various health conditions, especially in combating inflammation, managing blood sugar and lipid levels, and weight management. Such clear-cut results definitely establish the use of ginger as a scientifically proven valuable element in preventive medicine.
Reference:
Musazadeh, Vali, et al. "Ginger Supplementation and Metabolic Health: an Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Trials." Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 2026.
