Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In a test with 60 women, supplementation with ginger improved the accuracy of choices made quickly by 14% and improved other mental functions.
Zingiber officinale, more commonly known as ginger, is a popular spice in Asian and Indian cuisine. Ginger is also a common anti-microbial herb in Ayurvedic medicine, and Arabian folklore claims ginger improves memory (1). Preliminary data in rats showed Zingiber extract could enhance memory and protect against brain damage (2). Recent research found Zingiber extract (ginger) was also helpful in improving memory function in women (1).
The recent research included 60 healthy middle-aged women (average age 53.40 +/- 3.57 years) from Thailand. The women were randomly divided into 3 separate groups:
- Group 1 received placebo
- Group 2 received 400 mg Zingiber per day
- Group 3 received 800 mg Zingiber per day
All participants were tested for memory and cognitive performance at baseline, after 1-month of supplementation and after 2-months of supplementation (1). The following results are after 2-months of supplementation:
Improved Attention Span (1): supplementing 800 mg per day of Zingiber improved the percent accuracy of:
- choice reaction time (79.05 +/- 8.53% to 90.00 +/- 7.82%, P=0.001)
- numeric memory (76.45 +/- 9.69% to 85.00 +/- 8.72%, P=0.01)
Choice reaction time was measured by how quickly the participant pressed a button labeled “yes” or “no” when the corresponding word (yes or no) appeared on the computer screen. Numeric memory was measured by presenting the participants with 5 digits to hold in memory. This was followed by a series of 30 digits and the participant had to report if the number had been in the original 5 digits given (1).
Improved Quality of Memory (1): supplementing 800 mg per day of Zingiber improved the percent accuracy of:
- digit vigilance (44.75 +/- 5.63% to 48.40 +/- 5.40%, P<0.05)
- spatial memory (66.33 +/- 6.88% to 71.77 +/- 4.12%, P=0.01)
Digit vigilance was measured by displaying a number to the right of the computer screen constantly. Then a series of digits was presented on the screen at a rate of 80 per minute, when the same number as the constant number appeared, the participant had to press the “yes” button as quickly as possible. Spatial memory was measured by giving the participants an image of a house with 4 of 9 windows illuminated to memorize. This was followed by 36 pictures of the house with random windows illuminated, the participant had to respond by pressing “yes” or “no” as quickly as possible when an illuminated window matched the original picture (1).
Improved Speed of Memory (1): supplementing 800 mg per day of Zingiber also improved the speed of reaction to:
- word recognition (1261.14 +/- 176.75 msec to 1099.67 +/- 185.22 msec, P=0.01)
- choice reaction time (980.35 +/- 197.24 msec to 874.65 +/- 50.59 msec, P<0.05)
Word recognition was measured by giving participants 15 words to memorize. Then the 15 original words, plus 15 distractor words were randomly presented on the computer screen. The participants had to press “yes” or “no” as quickly as possible answering if the word was in the original list or not. Choice reaction time was measured by how quickly the participant pressed a button labeled “yes” or “no” when the corresponding word (yes or no) appeared on the computer screen (1).
Improvements were also observed in 400 mg Zingiber supplementation with word recognition and numeric memory at 2-months, although results were only slightly significant (1). No statistically changes in memory were observed in the placebo group and no adverse reactions were reported from supplementing Zingiber (1).
In conclusion, supplementing Zingiber (ginger extract) improved attention and memory capabilities of healthy middle-aged women (1). Researchers suggest Zingiber extract as a potential brain tonic to improve memory in women (1). Future research should be conducted to confirm results.
Source: Saenghong et al. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged HealthyWomen. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Volume 2012, Article ID 383062, 9 pages doi:10.1155/2012/383062
© 2012 Naritsara Saenghong et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
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Posted October 24, 2014.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Saenghong N, et al. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women. Evidence-Based Comp and Alt Med. 2012 doi:10.1155/2012/383062.
- J. Wattanathorn, et al. “Zingiber officinale mitigates brain damage and improves memory impairment in focal cerebral ischemic rat,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. Article ID 429505, 8 pages.
