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Benefits of Ginger Extract

Evidence:Strong
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Pregnancy nausea — a Cochrane review (Viljoen et al., 2014, 12 RCTs, n=1,278) found ginger significantly reduced nausea in early pregnancy with a favorable safety profile for mother and baby
  • Chemotherapy-induced nausea — Ryan et al. (2012, n=576, multicenter RCT) found ginger supplementation (0.5-1g/day) reduced acute CINV by 40% when added to standard antiemetics
  • Gastric motility — Wu et al. (2008, n=24) demonstrated ginger (1,200mg) accelerated gastric emptying by 12.3 minutes in healthy volunteers, confirming its prokinetic activity
  • Functional dyspepsia — Hu et al. (2011, n=11) showed ginger capsules (1,200mg) enhanced antral motility and accelerated gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia

What the Research Says

Ginger extract is well-supported by evidence for its applications in gastrointestinal health. It has demonstrated robust efficacy in reducing nausea across various settings, including pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-surgical recovery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1278 women found that ginger significantly reduced nausea symptoms during pregnancy without affecting vomiting episodes or posing significant risks (Viljoen et al., 2014). Similarly, a large multicenter RCT with 576 chemotherapy patients reported that ginger effectively mitigated acute nausea (Ryan et al., 2012).

The prokinetic effects of ginger are attributed to its ability to antagonize the 5-HT3 receptor, enhance antral contractions, and exert anti-inflammatory properties through gingerols. These mechanisms contribute to its effectiveness in treating nausea and vomiting (Giacosa et al., 2015). Additionally, a systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies supports the use of ginger extract for preventing and treating nausea and vomiting (Giacosa et al., 2015).

Beyond its anti-nausea effects, ginger extract has shown promise in other areas. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 80 overweight adults found that steamed ginger extract significantly reduced body fat, weight, and lipid levels after 12 weeks without adverse effects (Kwon et al., 2026). Another study protocol outlines plans to investigate the impact of ginger root extract on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in individuals with sciatica, highlighting its potential broader applications (Shen et al., 2026).

Overall, ginger extract is a safe and effective supplement for managing nausea and may offer additional benefits in weight management and gut health.

Related Conditions

Gut HealthNausea
Full Ginger Extract Guide

References

  1. Meta-analysisViljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, et al. (2014). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal. DOI PubMed
  2. RCTRyan JL, Heckler CE, Roscoe JA, et al. (2012). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces acute chemotherapy-induced nausea: a URCC CCOP study of 576 patients. Supportive Care in Cancer. DOI PubMed
  3. Williams JT, Tiani KA, Foster MJ, MacFarlane AJ, et al. (2025). Systematic review of the impact of ginger extract and alpinetin on pregnancy outcomes in animal models.. BMC complementary medicine and therapies. DOI PubMed
  4. ReviewGiacosa A, Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E, Riva A, et al. (2015). Can nausea and vomiting be treated with ginger extract?. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences. PubMed
  5. RCTKwon JE, Lee YG, Kim I, Bae J, et al. (2026). Efficacy and Safety of Steamed Ginger Extract for Body Weight and Body Fat Reduction in Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.. Nutrients. DOI PubMed
  6. Shen CL, Elmassry MM, Kahathuduwa C, Lee J, et al. (2026). Influence of ginger root extract supplementation on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in individuals with sciatica: Study protocol for a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.. Clinical nutrition ESPEN. DOI PubMed
  7. Hanyuda A, Tsuda S, Takahashi N, Takahashi N, et al. (2026). Effects of a Red-Ginger-Based Multi-Nutrient Supplement on Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow in Open-Angle Glaucoma.. Nutrients. DOI PubMed
Show 5 more references
  1. Park MJ, Hong J, Jeong S, Kim JY (2026). Protective effects of rosemary and ginger extracts on DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and vascular endothelial function: a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. Food science and biotechnology. DOI PubMed
  2. RCTBroeckel J, Estes L, Leonard M, Dickerson BL, et al. (2025). Effects of Ginger Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation and Functional Capacity in Individuals with Mild to Moderate Joint Pain.. Nutrients. DOI PubMed
  3. Evans C, Kalman D, Jiannine L, Ricci T, et al. (2025). The Acute Metabolic Impacts of Kampferia parviflora Extract in Healthy Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Proof-of-Concept Study.. Cureus. DOI PubMed
  4. Farì G, Megna M, Scacco S, Ranieri M, et al. (2023). Hemp Seed Oil in Association with β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Ginger Extract as a Nutraceutical Integration in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Prospective Case-Control Study.. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). DOI PubMed
  5. Braga Tibaes JR, Martins LB, Rodrigues AMDS, Amaral MHA, et al. (2022). Ginger supplementation does not increase energy expenditure in female adults.. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). DOI PubMed