Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) intake on human serum lipid profile: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Effect of ginger supplementation on lipid profile in humans remains controversial particularly in diabetic patients. A systematic search was performed covering PubMed, Medline, and Scopus, Web of Science (ISI), and Google scholar from January 2010 to January 2022. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) study design, at least one of lipid profile components triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) measured before and after ginger consumption. For quantitative data synthesis, a random-effects model was applied. Pooled data showed that ginger intake reduced TC (SMD À0.44; 95% CI: À0.86, À0.02; p = 0.025) and TG (SMD -0.61; 95% CI: À1.14, À0.08; p = 0.024) levels significantly, but it has no significant effect on improving HDL-C (SMD 0.40; 95% CI: À0.01, 0.80; p = 0.057) and LDL-C (SMD À0.34; 95% CI: À0.81, 0.13; p = 0.153). Ginger supplementation decreased TG in obese and diabetic subjects more efficiently. In terms of ginger dose, the result of meta-regression found to be significant only for TC, so that increasing daily doses of ginger reduces TC levels by (β: À0.67; 95% CI: À1.28, À0.07; p = 0.028). Therefore, ginger could be considered as an effective lipid lowering nutraceuticals.

Elucidation of the effects of combined administration of Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum ethanol extracts on lipid profile by means of female Wister rat models

“…In terms of Zingiber officinale dose, the result of meta-regression found to be significant only for TC, so that increasing daily doses of ginger reduces TC levels by (β: -0.67; 95% CI: -1.28, -0.07; p = 0.028). They concluded that Zingiber officinale could be considered as an effective lipid lowering nutraceuticals [18].…”

Ginger Update

“…In addition, the numbers and qualities of RCTs selected by each meta-analysis also varied. Table 35–64 provides an overview and perspective on some of these differences in methodologies among those trials assessed in meta-analyses.…”

“…In general, there is more consistent evidence that ginger supplementation can decrease circulating blood levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Evidence is less consistent for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 10,12,13,56–58,62,63,80 …”

“…Evidence is less consistent for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 10,12,13,[56][57][58]62,63,80 Likewise, there is evidence that glycemic control is enhanced through ginger's reported effect in lowering blood fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels and decreasing insulin resistance, compared with controls. 10,12,13,57,[59][60][61][62]81 Serum insulin levels were not consistently affected by ginger intake.…”