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Changes of serum adipocytokines and body weight following Zingiber officinale supplementation in obese women: a RCT

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Abstract

Purpose

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) consumption on some metabolic and clinical features of obesity.

Methods

Eighty eligible obese women (aged 18–45 years) were randomly assigned to either ginger or placebo groups (receiving 2 g/day of ginger powder or corn starch as two 1 g tablets) for 12 weeks. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition were assessed every 4 weeks, and serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, insulin and glucose were determined before and after intervention. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were also calculated.

Results

Ginger consumption significantly decreased BMI, serum insulin and HOMA-IR index, along with increasing QUICKIs as compared to the placebo. Moreover, significant reductions in serum leptin, resistin and glucose were observed in both groups, especially in ginger group with nonsignificant differences between groups. The body composition and serum levels of adiponectin were not significantly changed in study groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a minor beneficial effect of 2 g ginger powder supplementation for 12 weeks on weight loss and some metabolic features of obesity. However, given the lack of data in this area, ongoing clinical trials are needed to further explore ginger’s effectiveness.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to express our appreciation to the subjects who participated in the study. We also would like to thank Dr. Samira Pormoradian for technical assistance on biochemical analyses. This study was supported by a Grant from the Research Vice Chancellor and Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (Tabriz, Iran), with Grant Number (5/71/1353). The results of this article are derived from Ph.D. thesis of Vahideh Ebrahimzadeh Attary (NO, D/32).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Vahideh Ebrahimzadeh Attari, Sajjad Mehralizadeh & Sepideh Mahluji

  2. Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Alireza Ostadrahimi

  3. Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi

Authors
  1. Vahideh Ebrahimzadeh Attari
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  2. Alireza Ostadrahimi
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  3. Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
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  4. Sajjad Mehralizadeh
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  5. Sepideh Mahluji
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Correspondence to Alireza Ostadrahimi.

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Ebrahimzadeh Attari, V., Ostadrahimi, A., Asghari Jafarabadi, M. et al. Changes of serum adipocytokines and body weight following Zingiber officinale supplementation in obese women: a RCT. Eur J Nutr 55, 2129–2136 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-1027-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-1027-6

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