Effects of Ginger Powder Supplementation on Glycemic Status and Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a huge problem affecting 387 million adults by a global prevalence of (8.3%) which is expected to rise to (10.1%) affecting 592 million adults by 2035. Type 2 diabetes, a growing public health problem, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of ginger powder supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profile, insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and beta‐cell function in obese Egyptian patients with new‐onset type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at the Diabetes outpatient clinic of the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE) during the period from January 2016 to January 2017. Study Design: A randomized, single blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, was performed on 80 subjects newly diagnosed with T2DM. Subjects were randomly & equally subdivided into two groups: ? Group 1: Ginger Group (GG), which consumed three capsules daily, each capsule containing: 600‐mg of ginger powder (total daily dose was 1.8 g), they also underwent certain diet and physical activity changes, and also received metformin as one 850‐mg tablet twice a day with meals for a duration of 8 weeks. ? Group 2: Placebo Group (PG), which received capsules of the same color, size, and number as (Group 1) but containing wheat flour, they also underwent the same diet, physical activity, and metformin dosage as (Group 1) during the 8 weeks of the study. Results: Ginger powder supplementation significantly reduced body mass index, fasting blood glucose, 2‐hour postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance index (HOMA2‐IR). Ginger also significantly increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, beta cell function index (HOMA2‐ %b), and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA2‐%S). Conclusion: Ginger is considered a safe and effective adjuvant antidiabetic agent in treatment of T2DM; improving glycemic status, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and promoting weight loss.