Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research suggests that ginger can help by improving all of diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure.
A recent systematic review of ginger (Nutrients 2020;12(1):157) identified 3 studies that showed ginger helps diabetics by significantly lowering fasting blood sugar, HbA1c (the most important marker of long term diabetes and blood sugar control), insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. Diabetics also saw their LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammation and antioxidant activity improve.
Now, a new systematic review and meta-analysis has added to the evidence.
The systematic review included 10 controlled studies. The results suggested that ginger reduces fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The meta-analysis concluded that ginger significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. It also significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It did not find a significant effect on cholesterol.
This systematic review and meta-analysis adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that ginger, better known for nausea, may also be an important herb for diabetics.
Complement Ther Med. May 2022;65:102802.