Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is increasingly studied for its potential benefits in managing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and central obesity. Scientific evidence, though not definitive, is growing. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses indicate that ginger supplementation (typically 1–3 grams/day) may modestly improve various MetS components. For example, studies have reported reductions in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference in people with MetS or type 2 diabetes.
Mechanistically, ginger is believed to exert its effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing actions. Gingerols and shogaols, its main bioactive compounds, can modulate pathways involved in glucose uptake and lipid metabolism. A 2018 meta-analysis (PMID: 29436236) found significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid profiles with ginger supplementation. However, studies are often small, of short duration, and sometimes show inconsistent results.
While ginger has a long tradition in herbal medicine for indigestion, inflammation, and nausea, its use for MetS is mainly driven by more recent scientific investigation rather than historical precedent. The evidence base is moderate (rated 3/5) and suggests ginger can be a supportive adjunct, but not a primary therapy, for MetS. Larger, longer-term clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects and establish guidelines for its use in this context.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
1-deoxynojirimycin12-methylcarnosic acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
Konjac
krill oil
l-carnitine
Lactobacillus helveticus
Legume protein
Lentil
licorice root
lipstatin
lupin
maitake mushroom
mangiferin
maqui berry
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Momordicosides
Monacolin
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Mulberroside A
Naringenin
Naringin
Neoeriocitrin
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
oyster mushroom
Palatinose
palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Sesamin
Sesamolin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Theaflavin
Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Vanadium
Vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
Whey protein
Xanthohumol
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by ginger
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Bunions
Bursitis
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Chills
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Hands and Feet
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Emphysema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Foot Odor
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gout
Halitosis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Laryngitis
Leprosy
Leukemia
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Ménière’s Disease
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mononucleosis
Morning Sickness
Motion Sickness
Mumps
Nausea and Vomiting
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Nursing
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Parasites (general)
Parasites (nematodes, worms)
Perspiration (deficient)
Perspiration (excessive)
Pertussis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
Pneumonia
Poisoning (food)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Protein Digestion (poor)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
Abscesses
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Products containing ginger
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas Formula (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM
Nature's Sunshine Artemisia Combination
Nature's Sunshine Bronchial Formula (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Breathe Activator TCM (formerly Breathe E-Z)
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine CLT-X
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Enviro-Detox
Nature's Sunshine FCS II (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Female Comfort
Nature's Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula
Nature's Sunshine GC-X
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Ginger
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Hi Lipase
Nature's Sunshine JP-X
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lactase Plus
Nature's Sunshine LB Extract
Nature's Sunshine Lower Bowel Stimulator (Formerly LBS II)
Nature's Sunshine LBS II
Nature's Sunshine Liquid Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine MetaboMax Free
Nature's Sunshine MetaboMax Plus
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nerve Eight
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine P-X
Nature's Sunshine Para-Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Proactazyme®
Nature's Sunshine PS II
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System
Nature's Sunshine Senna Combination
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Stomach Comfort (Chewable)
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
