The effect of ginger consumption on some cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ginger consumption on some cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This is a double- blind، placebo controlled clinical trial. Seventy type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled. They allocated randomly in to ginger group (n=35) and control group (n=35). They consumed 1600 mg powdered ginger versus 1600 mg wheat flour placebo (2 capsule 800 mg daily) daily for 12 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose، triglyceride، total cholesterol، LDL-c and HDL-c، C-reactive protein، systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference were measured before and after intervention.

Sixty three patients were analyzed: Ginger group (n=33) and control group (n=30). Ginger reduced fasting plasma glucose، triglyceride، total cholesterol and C-reactive protein، significantly (p<0. 05)، compared with placebo group. However there were no significant differences in HDL-c and LDL-c، systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference between two groups (p>0. 05).

Ginger reduced fasting plasma glucose، some fractions of lipid profile and C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore ginger can be considered as an effective treatment for prevention of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.