Ginger and Diabetes: New Research Reveals Surprise!

A new systematic review published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology has shown the effectiveness of ginger on blood sugar, inflammation, oxidative stress, and nausea during pregnancy.

Ginger has long been used in traditional medicine to treat digestive disorders and inflammation. Bioactive compounds in ginger such as gingerol and shogaol are responsible for its characteristic flavor and biological effects.

Now, researchers from Burrell School of Medicine and Mercer University (USA) want to better determine the actual clinical effects of ginger.

They synthesized and evaluated five meta-analyses conducted between 2010 and March 2025, focusing on the effects of ginger on type 2 diabetes and three other aspects, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and nausea during pregnancy.

Ginger has long been used to treat digestive disorders and inflammation.

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Ginger significantly reduces fasting blood glucose

The results found that ginger has a strong, clear effect in supporting blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, according to the medical news site News Medical.

Specifically: Ginger significantly reduces fasting blood glucose and average blood sugar HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients.

These findings are consistent with previous studies in animal models showing that ginger intake improves glucose tolerance and reduces fasting blood sugar in diabetics.

And the hypoglycemic effect of ginger is mediated through several different mechanisms.

The basic mechanism involves inhibition of key enzymes involved in the digestion and absorption of complex carbohydrates.

In addition, 6-Gingerol, a component of ginger, showed potent activity in stimulating glucose metabolism and protecting pancreatic β cells.

Ginger extract can also enhance the expression of a glucose transporter, thereby promoting glucose uptake in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells.

The reduction in HbA1c blood sugar levels suggests a potential long-term hypoglycemic effect of ginger, according to News Medical.

Additionally, results showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and nausea-reducing effects during pregnancy.

The authors concluded: This systematic review confirms that ginger is a safe and potential natural therapy in the adjunctive treatment of type 2 diabetes, anti-inflammation, oxidative stress reduction, and nausea during pregnancy.

While the results are promising, experts recommend that more large-scale studies are needed to determine the appropriate dosage, form of administration, and patient population. Ginger is not a substitute for medical treatment, but can play an effective supporting role in overall health care.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/gung-va-benh-tieu-duong-nghien-cuu-moi-he-lo-bat-ngo-185250818162255387.htm