The effect of ginger supplementation on serum C-reactive protein, lipid profile and glycaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials in adults with type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity, dyslipidemia, or peritoneal dialysis. Studies were published from 2008 to 2015 and were conducted mainly in Iran, with one study from the United States.

Oral ginger, most often as ginger powder, was given at 1 to 3 g per day for 8 weeks to 3 months, compared with placebo or control conditions across the included trials. The regimen was generally once daily and was evaluated in adults with metabolic or renal conditions.

Overall, ginger supplementation showed favorable effects on inflammation, glycemia, and lipid profile. Pooled effects favored ginger for CRP (WMD 0.84 mg/L, 95% CI 1.38 to 0.31; I2 56.3%), fasting blood glucose (WMD 1.35 mg/dl, 95% CI 2.04 to 0.58; I2 12.1%), and HbA1c (WMD 1.01, 95% CI 1.28 to 0.72; I2 9.4%), with additional improvements reported for HDL, triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol. Sensitivity analyses supported robustness, meta-regression suggested the CRP effect was independent of ginger dose, and no serious adverse events were reported.

The evidence base was limited by small trials, short follow-up durations of 8 weeks to 3 months, and heterogeneity in the clinical populations studied. Most studies were conducted in Iran, and arm-level sample sizes plus detailed baseline diet, activity, and ethnicity data were sparse, which limits precision and generalizability.