INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF GINGER TEA ORAC VALUE IN HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT

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Sehar Taskeen
Muhammad Adnan Hafeez
Iqra Ikram

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease, and remains a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Despite pharmacological advancements, dietary and lifestyle interventions play a crucial role in its management. Ginger, a bioactive-rich plant with high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), has been recognized for its potential cardiovascular benefits. This study investigates the efficacy of ORAC-rich ginger tea in reducing blood pressure, improving lipid profiles, and enhancing arterial compliance in hypertensive individuals.


Objective: To evaluate the impact of ginger tea consumption on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile parameters, and arterial stiffness as an adjunct to conventional hypertension management.


Methods: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in outpatient clinics of a university hospital. A total of 50 participants aged 30-65 years with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=25), receiving ginger tea (2 g ginger root powder steeped in 250 mL hot water daily for 12 weeks), or the control group (n=25), receiving placebo tea. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and arterial stiffness (measured via pulse wave velocity) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Mann-Whitney U tests, with significance set at p<0.05.


Results: The intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (135.2 ± 12.4 mmHg to 126.0 ± 9.8 mmHg, p=0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (85.4 ± 8.7 mmHg to 78.5 ± 7.2 mmHg, p=0.010). Total cholesterol levels declined from 210.1 ± 22.0 mg/dL to 190.5 ± 18.4 mg/dL (p=0.004), while LDL cholesterol decreased from 140.4 ± 18.7 mg/dL to 125.6 ± 15.7 mg/dL (p=0.011). HDL cholesterol increased significantly from 52.1 ± 7.0 mg/dL to 58.5 ± 6.2 mg/dL (p=0.005). Pulse wave velocity improved from 8.5 ± 1.3 m/s to 7.5 ± 1.0 m/s (p=0.009), suggesting enhanced arterial flexibility.


Conclusion: Ginger tea demonstrated significant antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects, supporting its role as a natural adjunct to hypertension management. Its high antioxidant capacity contributes to cardiovascular benefits, making it a promising dietary supplement alongside standard pharmacotherapy. Further research is warranted to explore its long-term efficacy and broader clinical applications.

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Author Biographies

Sehar Taskeen, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Student, MS Allied Health Sciences, Department of Human Nutrition and Food Technology, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muhammad Adnan Hafeez, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan.

Assistant professor, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Human Nutrition and Food Technology, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan.

Iqra Ikram, University of Lahore, Pakistan.

Former Student, University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, Pakistan.