Plants show great potential as a cost-effective means for preventing Type 2 diabetes due to their abundance of bioactive phytochemicals. Researchers from Framingham State University and Hannam University revealed that the Japanese ginger (Zingiber mioga) has anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant activity. This finding, which was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, was based on results of in vitro and in vivo studies.

• Japanese ginger is a commonly used food in Asia that has been proven to have antimicrobial activity, as well as the ability to prevent fat buildup that could lead to obesity.
• Previous studies have shown that this herb contains volatile aromatic compounds.
• Since Japanese ginger can reduce obesity, the researchers determined its potential inhibitory activity against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.
• The antioxidant potential of the herb was evaluated based on free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content.
• In vivo experiments were also conducted on Sprague-Dawley rats and db/db mice (a model for diabetic dyslipidemia). Prior to treatment with Japanese ginger extracts, the test subjects were given high concentrations of sucrose. This was done to determine the ability of Japanese ginger to reduce blood sugar level.
• Results showed that Japanese ginger extracts can inhibit alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase. This inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity, which was stronger than alpha-amylase inhibition, was also responsible for the reduction of glucose level in the in vivo model. The extracts also exhibited potent antioxidant activity through its phenolic compounds.

From these results, it can be determined that Japanese ginger can be utilized for the prevention of diabetes.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn more about how Japanese ginger regulates blood sugar levels by visiting DiabetesCure.news today.

Journal Reference:

Jo S-H, Cho C-Y, Lee J-Y, Ha K-S, Kwon Y-I, Apostolidis E. IN VITRO AND IN VIVO REDUCTION OF POST-PRANDIAL BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS BY ETHYL ALCOHOL AND WATER ZINGIBER MIOGA EXTRACTS THROUGH THE INHIBITION OF CARBOHYDRATE HYDROLYZING ENZYMES. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 31 March 2016;16(111). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1090-4