The phytochemical compounds in ginger (Zingiber officinale) are recognized for providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Studies show these anti-inflammatory effects are especially beneficial in countering joint and muscle pain. Other studies show ginger mitigates mitochondrial damage, alleviates stomach pain, counters autoimmune conditions, and more. These studies highlight why ginger has been utilized medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda Medicine, and various Middle East cultures for millennia. Cholesterol metabolism momentum Another area of ginger research that has been slower to gain momentum is documenting ginger's effect on lipids and lipoproteins. Part of the reason for this is that much of the research is observational or conducted on animals. As with many nutrients with a long history of observational health benefits, human trials are limited due to the cost and complexity of conducting them. Now, researchers involved in a new study claim it is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of ginger on Cholesterol Efflux Capacity (CEC) in humans—with substantiated positive results. CEC is a laboratory metric that measures how effectively a person’s High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particles remove excess cholesterol from cells and delivers it to the liver for excretion or recycling. According to the findings of the study, published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, short-term ginger supplementation enhanced CEC and improved the antioxidant response in healthy participants. This is important because it is widely known that high CEC is associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events. CEC has therefore emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular risk, showing an inverse association with coronary events, independent from HDL levels. Study details The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 35 healthy adult participants. They were assigned either three daily capsules containing 500 mg of dried ginger powder (Zingiber officinale), standardized to 25 mg gingerols, or placebo capsules. The researchers selected the 1500mg dose based on prior research demonstrating its efficacy and safety. Participants received each intervention for six weeks, with a four-week washout period between interventions. The researchers conducted anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses of blood samples. Additionally, interviews on health and lifestyle factors were conducted at the start and end of the study. The primary finding was that ginger supplements do increase plasma CEC. Specifically, during the placebo period the mean change in CEC was −1.2%. Meanwhile, during the ginger period, it increased by 2.8%. Final word While the researchers cautioned that their study requires confirmation in larger-scale studies, the findings literally confirmed the observational claims made by the ancient Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine texts. Put another way, ginger's anti-inflammatory properties appear to improve a vital cholesterol measurement—a measurement that is a valuable marker in assessing heart disease risk. Writing in the study summary, the researchers concluded: “Given the established roles of impaired CEC and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the observed improvements suggest that regular ginger consumption may represent a promising dietary approach for cardiovascular disease prevention.” - - - Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.
