A team of researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences recently published the results of a clinical trial that suggest ginger can be an effective method of increasing insulin sensitivity and balancing the lipid profile of diabetic patients, thus decreasing the chances of diabetes-related complications.
The Study
The 12-week double-blind study randomly allocated 70 patients with type 2 diabetes into two groups: a ginger group and a control group. The ginger group consumed 1,600 mg of ginger daily, while the control group was given the same amount of wheat flour placebo. The levels of serum sugar, lipids, and other indicators were measured before the treatment and then again at the end.
The Results
In the ginger group, the levels of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and other indicators showed a significant reduction when compared with the control group who took the placebo. However, there was no marked difference in the levels of cholesterol (HDL and LDL) and indicators of inflammation between the two groups.
What Does This Mean?
The ginger group showed improvement in most of the areas tested, and the results were significant enough for the researchers to recommend the herb as an effective tool against diabetes complications. The dosage they used, 1,600 mg of ginger, may be an appropriate component in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Sources
- International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 2014
