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- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition: The Amazing and Mighty Ginger; Ann M. Bode and Zigang Dong
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition: The Amazing and Mighty Ginger; Ann M. Bode and Zigang Dong
- Metabolism: Ginger Consumption Enhances the Thermic Effect of Food and Promotes Feelings of Satiety without affecting metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Overweight Men: A Pilot Study
- Metabolism: Ginger Consumption Enhances the Thermic Effect of Food and Promotes Feelings of Satiety without affecting metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Overweight Men: A Pilot Study
- Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
- Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
- 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
- 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
- Journal of the Science and Food of Agriculture: Anti-Obesity Action of Gingerol: Effect on Lipid Profile, Insulin, Leptin, Amylase and Lipase in Male Obese Rats Induced By a High-Fat Diet
- Journal of the Science and Food of Agriculture: Anti-Obesity Action of Gingerol: Effect on Lipid Profile, Insulin, Leptin, Amylase and Lipase in Male Obese Rats Induced By a High-Fat Diet
- European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences:Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of ginger and orlistat on obesity management, Pancreatic Lipase and Liver Peroxisomal Catalase Enzyme in Male Albino Rats
- European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences:Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of ginger and orlistat on obesity management, Pancreatic Lipase and Liver Peroxisomal Catalase Enzyme in Male Albino Rats
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Can Ginger Help You Lose Weight?
You may be familiar with ginger as a star ingredient in pumpkin pie or gingerbread cookies, but it also has a long history of use in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment to alleviate arthritis, cold symptoms and nausea. The way ginger affects digestion also makes it a possible weight-loss aid that may suppress hunger and moderate blood sugar levels.
Ginger and Blood Sugar
Preliminary research suggests that ginger helps stabilize blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Wild fluctuations in blood sugar can lead to cravings, extreme hunger and insulin desensitization, all of which can cause overeating. In a 2015 study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, participants with type 2 diabetes who consumed ginger powder daily for 12 weeks experienced reduced levels of fasting blood sugar 6. A 2014 study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition reported that ginger taken daily for eight weeks helped reduce insulin sensitivity and fasting blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics 17. Despite these promising results, larger and additional studies are needed to confirm whether ginger is effective for people with diabetes.
- Preliminary research suggests that ginger helps stabilize blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Ginger Helps You Feel Full
Crystallized Ginger Nutrition
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Ginger may help diminish your appetite, which makes cutting calories easier. The journal Metabolism published a study in 2012 that demonstrated that a hot ginger beverage containing 2 grams of ginger powder consumed after a meal reduces feelings of hunger for up to six hours. The ginger drink also seemed to increase the number of calories the body used to digest the initial meal, known as the thermic effect of food. This small study is promising, but more research is needed to confirm the findings.
- Ginger may help diminish your appetite, which makes cutting calories easier.
- The ginger drink also seemed to increase the number of calories the body used to digest the initial meal, known as the thermic effect of food.
Ginger for Obesity Treatment & Weight Loss
Animal studies have indicated that ginger, when used in conjunction with other therapies, may be a way to treat obesity. A 2014 issue of the Journal of the Science and Food of Agriculture, tested the effect of gingerol -- the primary component in ginger -- on body weight in obese rats 8. After 30 days, the rats experienced significant reduction in body weight as well as improved levels of leptin -- the hormone that signals satiety -- and insulin.
Another study performed on rats and published in a 2013 issue of European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences compared the effects of a ginger supplement and Orlistat, a medication that promotes weight loss 9. After four weeks, the ginger and Orlistat had similar significant effects on reduction in body weight. The ginger also improved the level of good cholesterol in the rats' blood.
However, it's too early to say whether or not ginger has the same weight loss benefits in humans.
- Animal studies have indicated that ginger, when used in conjunction with other therapies, may be a way to treat obesity.
- Another study performed on rats and published in a 2013 issue of European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences compared the effects of a ginger supplement and Orlistat, a medication that promotes weight loss 9.
Precautions in Taking Ginger
Can Pregnant Women Drink Ginger Tea?
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Ginger added to meals as a spice or condiment shouldn't be an issue for most people. Supplemental pills, tinctures and oils, though, should be approached with caution. You should be talk to your doctor before adding ginger in supplemental form to your diet, and if you take a blood thinner, you should be extra careful -- ginger can increase the risk of bleeding. Those on high blood pressure or diabetes medications should also consult their medical care provider before consuming extra ginger, because in addition to its effects on blood sugar, it can lower blood pressure.
- Ginger added to meals as a spice or condiment shouldn't be an issue for most people.
- You should be talk to your doctor before adding ginger in supplemental form to your diet, and if you take a blood thinner, you should be extra careful -- ginger can increase the risk of bleeding.
Related Articles
References
- Precision Nutrition: All About Ginger
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition: The Amazing and Mighty Ginger; Ann M. Bode and Zigang Dong
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- Exercise Physiology; John Porcari, Cedric Bryant, Fabio Comana
- Metabolism: Ginger Consumption Enhances the Thermic Effect of Food and Promotes Feelings of Satiety without affecting metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Overweight Men: A Pilot Study
- Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
- 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
- Journal of the Science and Food of Agriculture: Anti-Obesity Action of Gingerol: Effect on Lipid Profile, Insulin, Leptin, Amylase and Lipase in Male Obese Rats Induced By a High-Fat Diet
- European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences:Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of ginger and orlistat on obesity management, Pancreatic Lipase and Liver Peroxisomal Catalase Enzyme in Male Albino Rats
- National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. Ginger. Updated September 2016.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Ginger. Updated October 30, 2018.
- University of Texas, El Paso/Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program & Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Herbal Safety: Ginger.
Writer Bio
Andrea Boldt has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. A personal trainer, run coach, group fitness instructor and master yoga teacher, she also holds certifications in holistic and fitness nutrition.