The Effect of Ginger Capsules on the Control of Blood Sugar in Gestational Diabetes: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Gestational diabetes is a major prenatal problem and one of the most common complications of pregnancy throughout the world. Ginger can adjust biochemical pathways that are activated in some diseases such as diabetes by affecting insulin sensitivity. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of ginger capsules on the control of blood sugar in gestational diabetes. The present triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 76 women with gestational diabetes attending high-risk pregnancy clinics of Alzahra and Taleghani teaching hospitals and Imam Reza hospital in Tabriz in 2016. Eligible mothers were divided into intervention and control groups using block randomization. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated measures ANOVA, chi-square, Fisher exact, chi-square for trend, Mann-Whitney, and independent t tests. No significant difference was found between two groups in terms of personal-social details (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups after 8 weeks of intervention in terms of fasting blood sugar (P = 0.366). However, mean blood glucose 2 hours after meals, the dose of insulin received, and frequency of visits to the gynecologist after 8 weeks of intervention were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of Hemoglobin A1C 8 weeks after intervention (P = 0.248). Ginger capsule was able to reduce mean blood glucose 2 hours after meals, the dose of insulin received, and frequency of visits to the gynecologist in women with gestational diabetes. This medication is likely to promote the health of mothers with gestational diabetes and their infants.