Ginseng Supplementation May Support Cardiometabolic Health

Ginseng has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. A new study has found that ginseng supplementation may provide cardiometabolic benefits.

The researchers used data from 20 randomized clinical trials that included 1,295 participants with an average age of 54.. The trials evaluated the effect of ginseng supplementation on cardiometabolic biomarkers including fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers.

Ginseng supplementation was found to significantly improve serum concentrations of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and HOMA-IR (Insulin resistance). Supplementation of 2 grams of ginseng or more daily resulted in a reduction in LDL cholesterol. In addition, ginseng supplementation reduced serum levels of the inflammation marker IL-6.

The study was conducted by researchers from Monash University and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science. It was published online ahead of print on June 9, 2022 in the journal Nutrients.

A previous study found that blueberries may provide blood sugar health benefits.