The effect of oral supplementation of ginger on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Clinical nutrition ESPEN Vol. 63; pp. 615 - 622
• Main Authors: Schumacher, Juliana Crystal, Mueller, Vanessa, Sousa, Camila, Peres, Kathleen Krüger, da Mata, Isabella Rosa, Menezes, Rafaella Camara Rocha, Dal Bosco, Simone Morelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Antioxidant activity; Bioactivities; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Dietary Supplements; Fasting blood glucose; Gingerols; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glycemic Control - methods; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Phenolic compounds; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Zingiber officinale; Zingiber officinale - chemistry; Fasting blood glucose; Bioactivities; Phenolic compounds; Gingerols; Antioxidant activity; Zingiber officinale
• ISSN: 2405-4577; 2405-4577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.07.011

Ginger, a root originating in Southeast Asia, has several therapeutic benefits to human health, including antioxidant activity. Currently, there are discussions regarding the hypoglycemic properties of dietary supplements derived from its phenolic compounds in the management of chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and complex disease that requires continuous treatment, with glycemic control being decisive in the management of hyperglycemia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the effects of oral supplementation of ginger in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients undergoing randomized clinical trial studies. Across the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, randomized controlled trials that examined the role of ginger in T2DM until January 2022 were systematically researched. The parameters used to assess T2DM treatment control were Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Bias risk assessment of the studies was performed using the RoB 2.0 tool. Meta-analysis was performed considering data compatibility. Five studies were included in the analysis. Capsules containing Zingiber officinale powder were supplemented twice a day. The dose ranged from 1.2 to 2g/day, and the intervention period ranged from 4 to 12 weeks. Meta-analysis results indicated no significant effect of ginger supplementation on FBS or HbA1c. However, individual studies reported mixed results, with two studies showing a significant reduction in FBS. This suggests that while ginger may have potential as an adjuvant therapy, its overall impact on glycemic control in T2DM is not statistically significant when results are pooled. Currently published articles are still limited, requiring further studies of high methodological quality to verify the effectiveness of ginger supplementation on T2DM parameters control. •Ginger supplementation isolated may represent a strategy on type 2 diabetes mellitus management.•Oral supplementation with ginger seems to perform as an hypoglycemic in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.•Ginger is a promising adjunct therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.