Ginger's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune effects reviewed
What it found
Ginger and its compounds gingerol, shogaol, zingerone and paradol showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in lab and animal studies, with some human evidence.
The authors say more research in people is needed.
What they found
Studies in people
Ginger in chemotherapy patients
In patients with solid tumors aged 18 and over receiving chemotherapy, ginger extract (20 mg/day) as a daily supplement increased antioxidants compared to the placebo group. Ginger supplementation increased antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative levels.
Animal and lab studies
Ginger compounds in animals
A 6-gingerol-rich fraction (50 mg/kg) reduced H2O2 and MDA levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activity and GSH levels in rats. In mice, 100 mg/kg prevented depletion of catalase activity and GSH content.
Ginger compounds in cells
In mouse macrophage cells, 6-gingerol inhibited NO and PGE2 production. In human intestinal epithelial cells, 6-shogaol (100 uM) inhibited PI3k/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Other findings
Antioxidant compounds in ginger
Ginger contains phenolic compounds including gingerol, shogaol, zingerone and paradol. These are thought to provide its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidant mechanism
Ginger's antioxidant mechanism is linked to activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism is linked to Akt inhibition and NF-KB activation.
Ginger drinks and cooking
A commercial ginger drink containing 25 mg ginger root had 6.89 mg GAE/L total phenol and 1.06 QE/L total flavonoid. Lab-scale ginger drink had more than twice the total phenol and more than five times the total flavonoids. Stewed ginger had TEAC of 19.3 μmol/g; fried ginger without oil for 15 min had IC50 of 950 μg/mL.
What the authors conclude
“Furthermore, further research is needed regarding the toxicity of ginger and the daily consumption recommendation for humans.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that ginger has various bioactive components known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
- They say ginger extract, ginger juice, ginger tea, and ginger oleoresin have potential as immunomodulators through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.
- They call for further research on the toxicity of ginger and the daily consumption recommendation for humans.
How it was done
The authors wanted to look at ginger's role in the immune system, which they say is a relevant but underexposed factor.
They gathered scientific papers on ginger's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities and its bioactive compounds using Google Scholar.
What it can’t tell you
- Many of the studies were done in cells or animals, so they cannot show what happens in people.
- The review did not find a consistent way to measure ginger's antioxidant properties, so it is hard to estimate the real benefit of eating ginger with a certain processing method.
- The authors say future collaborations are needed to further investigate the effect of ginger on human immunity.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia; Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- A critical review of Ginger's ( Zingiber officinale ) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Ayustaningwarno F, Anjani G, Ayu AM, Fogliano V (2024). A critical review of Ginger's ( Zingiber officinale ) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Frontiers in nutrition. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1364836Free full textPubMed 38903613DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error