By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
Ginger is a very versatile food that can be easily incorporated into many recipes. Moreover, ginger is also considered an effective remedy to treat several diseases.
People have long used ginger to improve many aspects of heart health, including cholesterol levels, circulation, and blood pressure. Several studies in both humans and animals have shown that ginger consumption can lower blood pressure levels in certain ways. A study by Anh et al.(2020) established that people have used it for centuries to improve many aspects of heart health, including circulation, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
Ginger, does it work on blood pressure?
Torabi et al.(2016) study found that ginger has the potential to offer a natural alternative dietary supplementation to conventional anti-hypertensive agents, but there is not enough evidence supporting this claim and the currently limited evidence is controversial. More human trials studying the effect of ginger on hypertensive patients using different dosages of a standardized extract are needed.
Neto et al.(2022) evaluate the effectiveness of ginger in reducing blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial, was conducted with people with type 2 diabetes, in primary health care units aged between 20 and 80 years, using oral antidiabetics and with glycated hemoglobin values between 6% and 10%. The participants were allocated totwo distinct groups and randomized in blocks. In the experimental group, participants used 1.2 g of ginger, and in the control group, 1.2 g of a placebo, daily, for 90 days. 103 people completed the study, 47 in the experimental group, and 56 in the control group.
The participants in the experimental group showed a reduction in blood pressure values compared to the control group, although not statistically significant. They concluded that the use of ginger was not able to reduce blood pressure levels in people with diabetes
Another by Ebrahimzadeh et al.(2022) found ginger supplementation reduced blood pressure and sugar levels.
A previous study by Talaei et al. (2017) involved 81 patients with type 2 diabetes who were referred to Yazd Diabetes Research Center and participated in this randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Placebo (PG) and ginger-supplemented (GG) groups. GG was supplemented with 3 ginger capsules (1 g of ginger powder in each capsule) and PG received a placebo. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured before the intervention, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week, and at the end of the study (8th week). The study indicated that daily consumption of 3 g of ginger powder in capsules for 8 weeks by patients with type 2 diabetes has a positive effect on blood pressure.
Supriani et al. (2019) observational study determined whether there was an effect of giving ginger drink to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension in Baban Hamlet, Arosbaya Village, Arosbaya District, Bangkalan Regency. The population was 21 respondents. Research shows that the experimental group that was given the ginger drink got a value of 154.44 mmHg with a change in value of 131.11 mmHg. Whereas the control group which was not given a ginger drink got a value of 153.00 mmHg with a change in the value of 142.00 mmHg.
They concluded that in the ginger drink, several components and compounds can reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Potassium can affect the effects of diuretics increasing intracellular Na and affecting vasodilation of blood vessels so that blood vessels circulate smoothly resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
How it works, hypertension
Ginger acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and ACE inhibitor. Meanwhile, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors are both medications used to treat high blood pressure.
Both human and animal studies (Hasani et al. 2019; Ghayur and Gilani, 2005)have shown that taking ginger reduces blood pressure in several ways. It acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and natural ACE inhibitor. Calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors are types of blood pressure medication.
Dosage
Wang et al.(2017) study prescribed 2–4 grams per day and those who consumed this had the lowest risk of developing high blood pressure.
Talaei et al. (2017) used 3 g of ginger powder in capsules for 8 weeks of patients.
Warning
It is important to consider ginger’s side effects and interactions before starting to consume it for medicinal purposes. Because ginger may lower blood pressure, it is not recommended to take it with high blood pressure medications, as it may raise the risk of developing low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.
Eating fresh, raw ginger, as well as consuming dried ginger, drinking ginger tea, or taking ginger supplements, are all effective ways of reaping its hypotensive properties. However, it is not recommended that adults consume more than four grams of ginger a day in any form. Pregnant women should not consume more than one gram of ginger a day.
Take Home
Though ginger has several beneficial medicinal uses, and research suggests that it may have hypotensive effects, other herbs, such as garlic, are better suited to lowering blood pressure. I shall be back with the science on garlic.
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a professor of Naturopathic Healthcare. E-mail: professor40naturopathy@gmail.com. More about me, visit-profnyarkotey.com
References
1. Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, Min JE, Yoon YC, Lee EG, Kim M, Kim TJ, Yang YY, Son EY, Yoon SJ, Diem NC, Kim HM, Kwon SW. Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 6;12(1):157. doi: 10.3390/nu12010157. PMID: 31935866; PMCID: PMC7019938.
2. Hasani H, Arab A, Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Ghavami A, Miraghajani M. Does ginger supplementation lower blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Jun;33(6):1639-1647. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6362. Epub 2019 Apr 11. PMID: 30972845.
3. Ghayur MN, Gilani AH. Ginger lowers blood pressure through blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2005 Jan;45(1):74-80. doi: 10.1097/00005344-200501000-00013. PMID: 15613983.
4. Wang Y, Yu H, Zhang X, Feng Q, Guo X, Li S, Li R, Chu D, Ma Y. Evaluation of daily ginger consumption for the prevention of chronic diseases in adults: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition. 2017 Apr;36:79-84. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.05.009. Epub 2016 Jun 3. PMID: 28336112.
5. Torabi M, Naeemzadeh F, Ebrahimi V, et al133: The Effect Of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) On Hypertension; A Systematic Review Of Randomised Controlled TrialsbmjOpen 2017;7:bmjopen-2016-015415.133. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015415.133
6. Neto et al.(2022) Effectiveness Of Ginger In Reducing Pressure Levels In Persons With Diabetes: Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial. doi.org/10.31011/reaid-2022-v.96-n.37-art.1312 Rev Enferm Atual In Derme v. 96, n. 37, 2022 e-0212011
7. Ebrahimzadeh et al.(2022)The effect of ginger supplementation on metabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Volume 65, May 2022, 102802
8. Talaei B, Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Bahreini Sh. The Effect of Ginger Powder Supplementation on Blood Pressure of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial. Journal of Nutrition and Food Security (JNFS), 2018; 3 (2): 70-78.
9. Supriani et al.(2019) The Effect Of Boiled Ginger Drink Jahecang On Blood Pressure Reduction In Hypertension Patients In The Hamlet Of Baban Arosbaya Village Arosbaya District Bangkalan Regency. International Conference of Kerta Cendekia Nursing Academy. September; 1: 158-162