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Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger supplementation in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

  • 2025-10-22
  • Inflammopharmacology 33(12)
    • Shrin Rjabi
    • Hassan Barbarz
    • Maede Makhtoomi
    • Mohammad Reza Ahmadi
    • Hooman Zarif Najafi
    • Soroush Talakesh
    • Mehran Nouri
    • Moein Askarpour

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
Systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar for eligible randomised controlled trials on ginger supplementation; dose-response meta-analysis

Background

Disturbance of inflammatory/oxidative status of the body is an important player in chronic disease pathophysiology. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) supplementation has been vastly investigated in this regard. The present dose-response meta-analysis is aimed at summing up the findings of existing literature.

Methods

Online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on ginger supplementation. Outcome variables included: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Findings were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs). Subgroup analysis was conducted. Linear and non-linear associations between dosage/duration of intervention and the observed effects were assessed. Protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251011148(.

Results

Twenty-nine RCTs were included. Our findings show that ginger supplementation improves all inflammation/anti-oxidant biomarkers, as follows: CRP (WMD = -0.86 mg/L; 95% CI = - 1.10, - 0.62), TNF-α (WMD = - 1.90 pg/mL; 95% CI = - 2.61, - 1.18), IL-6 (WMD = - 1.15 pg/mL; 95% CI = - 1.90, - 0.41), TAC (WMD = 0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.38), MDA (WMD = - 0.76 mcmol/L; 95% CI = - 1.19, - 0.33), and SOD (WMD = 48.12 u/L; 95% CI = 30.57, 65.58).

Conclusion

The effect of ginger on IL-6 seems to associate with the dosage and duration of intervention in a non-linear fashion. Ginger supplementation may improve inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers, particularly in individuals with underlying health conditions. Given the high heterogeneity among studies, findings should be interpreted cautiously.

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