Ginger Supplements, Chews & Spices Review
Tests Reveal Best and
Worst Ginger Supplements & Spices. Poor Quality and Lead Contamination
Discovered in Some Products.
Medically reviewed and
edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. 
Last Updated
: 11/24/2021 | Initially Posted:
12/22/2020Latest Update: Contaminated Ginger
Table of Contents
Summary
·
What are the health benefits of ginger? A dose of 1 gram of
ginger root (or rhizome) powder (just under ˝ teaspoon) per day may help reduce
nausea from motion sickness and pregnancy. Ginger root extracts (which are more
concentrated) may also be useful for these purposes and 1 gram of extract has
been shown to modestly decrease pain from osteoarthritis (see "What It Does")
·
What to look for in ginger? The active compounds in ginger are
believed to be gingerols and, possibly, shogaols. In the supplements
ConsumerLab tested, amounts of gingerols and shogaols ranged from 0.85
mg up to 41.7 mg per daily serving, with ginger chews containing the lowest
amounts of these compounds (see Results Table). (Past tests of ginger ales by
ConsumerLab found them to contain hardly any gingerols.)
·
Which ginger products are best or worst in tests?
·
Two ginger supplements provided less ginger
than listed (just 34% and 66% of the claimed amounts), another exceeded a limit
for lead contamination, and another seemed to have been overexposed
to heat, providing a relatively small amount of gingerols (see "What CL Found"). At the same time, we
identified a ginger powder supplement of exceptionally high quality at very
reasonable cost, making it our Top Pick among
ginger supplements.
·
We found that only two of the four ginger spices that we
selected for testing were are of very high quality, with one spice containing 3
to 4 times as much lead as the others and another spice containing only 88% of
its minimum expected gingerols and shogaols. Among the two best products, one
cost only 1/10 as much as the other, making it our Top Pick among
ginger spices.
·
How to use ginger supplements? When taking ginger, particularly larger
daily doses, it's generally recommended to divide the dose throughout the day
(see ConsumerTips™).
·
Precautions when using ginger: Stomach upset and heartburn may occur
with ginger, but it is generally safe. Use with caution if you have low blood
sugar or diabetes, take blood-thinning medication, or are pregnant or about to
have surgery (see Concerns and Cautions).
What It Is:
Ginger
(from the root or rhizome of Zingiber officinalis) is a spice
commonly used for food flavoring and as ingredient in drinks and teas.
Traditionally, it has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, from
digestive complaints to respiratory illness and arthritis.
Phenolic compounds in
ginger (gingerols and shogaols) are chemically related to capsaicin and
piperine, the compounds that give chili pepper and black pepper their
respective spiciness. These compounds in ginger have antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and other properties that may be responsible for some of
ginger's effects (Pertz, Planta Med 2011; Wang Nat Prod Commun 2014). The shogaols also
contribute to the characteristic pungent taste of dried ginger and ginger
extracts (Semwal, Phytochemistry 2015).
What It Does:
Nausea and vomiting
From motion:
There is some evidence that certain gingerols and shogaols from ginger act on
serotonin receptors in the stomach and increase the rate of gastric emptying,
both of which could contribute to an anti-nausea effect (Abdel-Aziz, Eur J Pharmacol 2006; Hu, World J Gastroenterol 2011). Unlike some
medications for motion sickness, ginger does not appear to work by affecting
the brain or inner ear (Acta Otolaryngol 1989).
The clinical evidence for
ginger's effects on nausea is mixed. In a small study among young adults with a
history of motion sickness, those who took a little less than 1 gram (940 mg)
of ginger root powder 20 minutes before a motion-sickness inducing exercise
(spinning in a chair for up to six minutes) reported less nausea and were able
to stay in the spinning chair longer than those who took dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine) or a placebo (Mowrey, Lancet 1982). A
study among naval cadets sailing on the high seas found that taking 1 gram of
ginger root powder significantly reduced the tendency for vomiting and cold
sweating in the four hours after ingestion compared to placebo (Grontved, Acta Otolaryngol 1988). However,
several other studies using the same dose of ginger have found no benefit (Wood, Clin Res Pr Drug Regul Aff 1988; Stewart, Pharmacology 1991).
From stomach flu: A study in Italy among 141 children with acute
gastroenteritis (stomach flu) showed that those given 1 mL of a liquid
ginger drop (1% ginger extract, providing 10 mg of extract) along with an oral
rehydrating solution within 12 hours of symptoms were 20% less likely to vomit
after the first dose than those given a similar tasting placebo with the
rehydration solution. The difference, although not dramatic, was statistically
significant. Among those who continued to have vomiting episodes, continuing
the ginger drops reduced the percentage of children having vomiting episodes at
24 and 48 hours (Nocerino, Aliment Pharmacol Ther
2021).
During pregnancy:
From an analysis of twelve randomized, controlled trials involving pregnant
women and lasting from four days to three weeks, researchers concluded that a
daily dose of between 600 mg and 2,500 mg of ginger root powder significantly
decreased nausea symptoms, but not the number of vomiting episodes, compared to
placebo. Doses of less than 1,500 mg appeared to be most effective. There was
no increased risk from ginger for any major side-effect or adverse event
(including arrhythmia, spontaneous abortion, allergic reaction to treatment, or
dehydration) (Estelle, Nutr J 2014).
However, there may be an increased risk of bleeding from ginger intake during
later weeks of pregnancy (See Concerns and Cautions).
From surgery or
chemotherapy:
Ginger has shown only limited benefit in preventing postoperative nausea and
vomiting (Morin, Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther
2004). Results have been mixed, with results being better in women
than men. A placebo-controlled study in Italy among patients receiving two
rounds of chemotherapy found no overall benefit from adding ginger extract to
their standard therapy, which included anti-emetic medications. The extract was
taken as two capsules (each with 40 mg of ginger extract containing 16 mg of
gingerols and 1.12 mg of shogaols) on a full stomach in the morning and again
in the afternoon. Further analysis showed that the ginger actually resulted in
a higher incidence of nausea among men but had a moderate
favorable effect in women (Bossi, Ann Oncol 2017).
This finding in women is
consistent with a study in 60 women undergoing chemotherapy (anthracycline) for
breast cancer who were taking standard anti-nausea medications (palonosetron
and aprepitant). Those who consumed ginger (500 mg of powdered ginger mixed
with a spoonful of yogurt) twice a day during the first three days of
chemotherapy had significantly less nausea and vomiting in the days after
chemotherapy (there was no significant improvement the day chemotherapy was
administered) compared to women who did not consume ginger (Arslan, Clin J Oncol Nurs 2015). No adverse
effects attributed to ginger were reported. Note: Ginger may
interact with some chemotherapeutic drugs, potentially dangerously raising
their levels (see Concerns and
Cautions).
Heartburn
and indigestion
A small study in Iran among 48 adults with functional dyspepsia (indigestion)
found that 79% of those given 200 mg of ginger root extract (Ginfort,
providing < 52 mg of gingerols) twice daily reported their symptoms as
improved as after 4 weeks as opposed to 21% of those given placebo. In
addition, symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating,
post-meal fullness, excessive belching, nausea and heartburn were eliminated in
64% of those given the ginger extract compared to only 13% of those given
placebo. The study was funded and conducted by Olene Life Sciences, the maker
of Ginfort (Panda, J Diet Suppl 2020).
In December 2020, it was announced that Ginfort would be
distributed in the U.S. by DolCas Biotech.
Interestingly, a
laboratory experiment showed that compounds in ginger can act as a proton-pump
inhibitors, similar to the anti-ulcer medication Prevacid (lanzoprazole), which
decreases acid production in the stomach (Siddaraju, Mol Nutr Food Res 2007).
Osteoarthritis
Laboratory evidence suggests [6]-shogaol from ginger may affect collagen cells
in a way that could potentially help to protect from cartilage and bone
degradation. However, there are few well-designed studies on the effects of
ginger on osteoarthritis in people, and results have been mixed.
In a review of five
randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in which daily doses ranged from
500 mg to 1,000 mg of ginger extract researchers concluded that, overall ginger
may modestly reduce pain and disability from osteoarthritis of the knee and hip
(Bartels, Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2015). In
the studies, no serious adverse events were reported; mild adverse events all
related to "bad taste" or various forms of stomach upset.
Diabetes
A review of five clinical studies using doses between 1.6 and 3 grams of ginger
powder daily for one to two months concluded that supplementation significantly
lowers blood glucose and HbA1c levels, but not fasting insulin levels or
HOMA-IR (Daily, J Ethnic Foods 2015).
The ginger was usually taken in divided doses, after meals. No adverse advents
were reported in the studies other than one report of heartburn after taking
ginger.
Migraine
Ginger has not been proven to help with migraine headache. A placebo-controlled
trial among 85 men and women with migraine in Brazil found that ginger (200 mg
of ginger extract containing 5% gingerol) taken three times daily for three
months was no more effective than placebo in reducing the
number or duration of migraine attacks or decreasing days with severe pain and
use of analgesics for migraine pain. The frequency of side effects was
significantly higher in those taking ginger, but only in the first month of
trial. Among those taking ginger, four participants discontinued the study due
to side-effects, which included heartburn, constipation, reduced appetite and
nausea (Martins, Cephalalgia 2019). In a
double-blind, randomized study in 100 people who took either 50 mg of the
standard migraine medication (sumatriptan) or 250 mg of ginger powder at the
onset of a migraine, 70% of those who took sumatriptan and 64% of those who
took ginger had favorable relief (> 90% reduction in headache severity)
after two hours. Statistically, results for the two treatments were similar,
however, the study did not use a placebo control, making it impossible to
determine if either treatment was truly effective (Maghbooli, Phytother Res 2014).
Weight loss
Small studies suggest that ginger may slightly help people who are
overweight or obese.
An analysis of four small
clinical studies including 187 people who were overweight or obese found that
taking ginger (typically 1 to 3 grams of ginger root powder) daily for six to
12 weeks reduced body weight by a small to moderate amount compared to placebo
(Maharlouei, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2019).
Ginger is thought to
promote weight loss, in part, by increasing calories burned by the body, but
evidence from clinical research has shown conflicting results. A study in ten
overweight men (average age 39) found that drinking a hot beverage containing 2
grams of ginger powder with breakfast reduced feelings of hunger, increased
fullness after the meal and modestly increased the "thermic effect of
food" (i.e., the amount of calories burned by the body after eating) by
about 46 kcal/day compared to placebo (Mansour, Metabolism 2012). However, a study in
20 healthy women found that taking two 200-mg capsules of dry ginger extract
standardized to 5% gingerols (20 mg daily) with breakfast did not increase the
thermic effect of food compared to placebo (Fagundes, Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020).
Quality Concerns and
Tests Performed:
Like
other supplements, neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor any other
federal or state agency routinely tests ginger supplements for quality prior to
sale. However, quality issues for ginger supplements can include the following:
·
Gingerols and Shogaols: Is it real ginger containing key
compounds? As discussed above (What It Is), gingerols are compounds expected
in ginger and may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other properties that
may be responsible for some of ginger's effects. Shogaols are similar compounds
in ginger that contribute to its pungent taste and may also contribute to its
health effects. Together gingerols and shogaols should represent at least 1% of
the weight of ginger powder and, typically, more in a ginger extract. Most of
this (about 0.8% of the total ingredient) should be gingerols, as excessive
shogaols may indicate that the ingredient has been exposed to excessive drying
or heat.
·
Purity: Does the product contain contaminants? Like other
supplements made from plants, ginger may be contaminated with heavy metals,
such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. In children, infants, and fetuses, even low
levels of lead can adversely affect neurobehavioral development and cognitive
function. In adults, lead at somewhat higher levels can cause elevated blood
pressure, anemia, and adversely affect the nervous and reproductive systems.
Lead is of particular concern during pregnancy as the mother can transfer it to
the fetus. Cadmium is a carcinogen and kidney toxin. Arsenic is a carcinogen
and can damage organs.
In order to help
consumers identify products of better quality, ConsumerLab.com purchased and
tested ginger supplements to determine whether they contained their expected
amounts of gingerols and shogaols (compounds believed to be responsible for
some of ginger's effects) and were not contaminated with the heavy metals lead,
cadmium or arsenic. Tablets were tested for their ability to properly break
apart (disintegrate) in solution. See How Products Were Evaluated for more
information on testing.
What CL Found:
Among 15 ginger products that ConsumerLab.com selected for
testing, seven products could not be approved for the following reasons (as
noted in the Results Table):
·
Pure Mountain Botanicals Ginger, a ginger powder
supplement, contained only 34% of the minimum amount of gingerols and shogaols
expected in its claimed 1,000 mg of ginger root powder in a suggested two
capsule serving.
·
Solaray Ginger contained 1.7 mcg of lead per daily
serving, which exceeds the acceptable daily allowance for lead. This product
also includes a California Prop 65 warning for "Reproductive Harm."
All of the other products passed testing for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and
arsenic).
·
BulkSupplements.com Ginger Root Extract contained an unusually
low amount of gingerols and an unusually high amount of shogaols. This finding,
along with its unusually dark color, musty aroma, and burnt taste, suggest that
it has been exposed to excessive heat. Although shogaols are not considered
harmful, it may be preferable to select a ginger supplement that is high in
gingerols and lower in shogaols.
·
Vitacost Ginger Root Complex, a ginger root powder extract, contained only
66.6% of its claimed amount of gingerols.
·
Happy Belly Ground Ginger, a ginger root spice, contained only 88.8% of
the minimum expected amount of gingerols and shogaols.
·
The two ginger chews, Chimes Original Ginger Chews and Prince
of Peace Original Ginger Chews, could not be rated because they did not
list the amounts of ginger contained. However, based on testing,
ConsumerLab.com found Chimes contained 1.5 mg of gingerols per
chew, which is what you would expect from about 187.5 mg of ginger powder -- or
about 1/3 to 1/6 the amount of ginger root powder in ginger supplements tested
by ConsumerLab.com. Prince of Peace contained an even lower
amount of gingerols — only 0.78 mg per chew, which is what you would expect
from about 97.5 mg of ginger powder.
Eight ginger supplements
(including with three that passed ConsumerLab's voluntary Quality Certification Program) and three
ginger spices were Approved for quality.
Total amounts of
gingerols and shogaols found in a serving of each product are shown in the
graph below, with more details available in the Results Table.
A word about shogaols...
When ginger is dried and exposed to high heat, the gingerols in ginger are
transformed into shogaols, which adds to the pungency of ginger. Although
shogaols are not considered harmful and some laboratory research indicates
possible beneficial effects (see What It Does section), it may be
preferable to select a ginger supplements that is high in gingerols and does
not exceed the USP limit for shogaols which is 0.18% of the ingredient's weight
and applies to ginger root powders but not extracts.
Nearly all of the
products contained more than the USP guideline for shogaols. The exception
among Approved product was Mountain Rose Herbs Ginger at just
0.09% shogaols. (Not surprisingly, we found the powder in Mountain Rose to
be notably lighter in color and "sweeter" than the ginger in other
products.
Cost
As shown in the graph below, the cost to obtain gingerols from the tested
products ranged from as little as 2 or 3 cents per 10 mg of gingerols from some
of the ginger spices (in about 1 gram of powder) to as much as $3.65 from Dr.
Mercola Fermented Ginger as it had the lowest amount of gingerols
(just 2 mg per serving) of all the supplement (as seen in the graph above).
Among the supplements, the lowest cost to obtain 10 mg of gingerols was 8 cents
from Spring Valley Ginger Root, followed by 15 cents from Mountain
Rose Herbs Ginger Root.
Top Picks:
Ginger Supplements
Our Top Pick among all supplements is Mountain Rose
Herbs Ginger Root due to its exceptional quality and reasonable
price. Each capsule (12 cents) contains 484 mg of ginger root powder providing
7.9 mg of gingerols with very little in the way of shogaols (just 0.43 mg)
indicating that is has experienced little heat. Essentially, it is the
"freshest" ginger root powder we tested. It also passed heavy metal
testing (having the lowest concentration of lead of any ginger root powder
supplement or spice). A runner up for supplements is Spring Valley
[Walmart] Ginger Root, which is less expensive but also of lower strength
(4.9 mg of gingerols in a 4 cent capsule containing 550 mg of ginger root
powder).
Ginger Chews
We have no Top Pick among the two chews, which don't make
claims regarding their ginger content. Both were "gingery", sweet,
and slightly spicy. Although, if we had to choose one, we'd suggest Prince
of Piece as it's a bit more gingery, a little less sweet, and it costs
a few cents less per chew (11 cents) than Chimes (15 cents).
Be aware that both are very chewy and sticky -- a potential problem for people
with dental work or temporomandibular (TMJ) joint issues, let alone the
possibility of some of the sugary candies sticking to teeth.
Ginger Spices
Our Top Pick among ginger spices is Frontier Co-op
Ginger due to its fairly high quality and very low cost. Each gram
(costing 2 cents) provides 10 mg of gingerols giving it a mild ginger flavor,
and 2.4 mg of shogaols, adding some spiciness. The Spice Hunter Organic
Ginger is similar but costs 27 cents per gram — 13 times as much
as Frontier. Although Great Value [Walmart] Organic Ground
Ginger was also Approved and, like Frontier, is
inexpensive, it contains 3 to 4 times as much lead as the other three — putting
right at our limit for lead contamination.
[Note that, in November 2021, after
publication of this review, Consumer Reports published findings of its own tests of ginger
and other spices, focusing on contamination from heavy metals (lead, cadmium,
arsenic, and mercury). Consistent with our findings, it reported "Some
Concern" with Great Value. It did not test ginger from Happy
Belly, Frontier or The Spice Hunter, but it
did test and report "Some Concern" with ginger from 365 Whole
Foods Market, La Flor, Tone's, Badia, Spice
Islands, Morton & Bassett, and McCormick.
Only Simply Organic had a "No Concern" rating.
Consumer
Reports did not specify the types or amounts of heavy metals found in products,
but posted its test methodology and general
ratings criteria. Across all spices it reported that roughly
one-third "had high enough levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium combined,
on average, to pose a health concern for children when regularly consumed in
typical serving sizes. Most raised concern for adults, too."]
Test Results by Product:
Listed
below are the test results for 18 ginger supplements, chews and spices. Fifteen
products were selected by ConsumerLab.com and three (denoted with a CL flask)
were included for having passed the same evaluation through ConsumerLab.com's
voluntary Quality Certification Program. The products
are listed by form (i.e., root/rhizome power — pill, extract — pill, extract —
liquid, combination supplement, chews, and spices) and organized
alphabetically.
Shown for each product
are the labeled type and amount of ginger, the claimed or minimum expected
amount of gingerols and shogaols in a serving, the amounts of gingerols and
shogaols found upon testing, and the percentage of the claimed ginger
ingredient that was shogaols. Products listed as "Approved" contained
the expected amounts of gingerols plus shogaols and met ConsumerLab.com's other
criteria for quality, including not exceeding limits for heavy metal
contamination in products containing whole ginger root (see Passing Score). Heavy metal test results (if
applicable), pill sizes, and sensory comments (for loose powders, liquids, or
chews) are shown in the third column. Price and cost comparisons are in the
fourth column, notable features are in the fifth column, and the full list of
ingredients for each product is shown in the last column.
Results of
ConsumerLab.com Testing of Ginger Supplements, Chews & Spices
(Click arrows or swipe left or right to see all columns)
Approval Status
Product Name
(Suggested Serving on Label)
Claimed Amount/Form of Gingerⓘ
Gingerols & Shogaols Found
Heavy Metalsⓘ
Pill Sizeⓘ
Suggested Serving
Sensory
Cost for Suggested Serving
[Cost Per 10 mg of gingerols]
Price
Notable Features
Full List of Ingredients Per Serving
Root/Rhizome Powder Supplement - Pill:
APPROVED
CVS Health® Ginger Root 550 mg 
Dist. by CVS Pharmacy, Inc.
1 capsule
550 mg root ginger powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 5.5 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 3.4 mg
Shogaols: 2.1 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 5.5 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.39%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.63 mcg per g)
Large capsule
For adults, take one (1) capsule twice daily, preferably with meals.
$0.08/capsule
[$0.23 based on amount found]
$7.75/100 capsules
No yeast, wheat, gluten, milk or milk
derivatives, lactose, sugar, preservatives, soy, artificial color, artificial
flavor, salt.
1 capsule
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (root) 550 mg.
Other Ingredients: Gelatin (Bovine). Contains <2% of: Silica, Vegetable
Magnesium Stearate.
APPROVED
Dr. Mercola® Fermented Ginger
Dist. by NHP
1 capsule
200 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 2 mg gingerols +
shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 1.5 mg
Shogaols: 0.48 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 2 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.24%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.26 mcg per g)
Large capsule
Adults, take one (1) capsule per serving. This product should be taken twice
daily.
$0.57/capsule
[$3.65 based on amount found]
$33.97/60 capsules
1 capsule
Perilla leaf extract 150 mg
1 capsule
Organic Fermented Ginger Root Powder 200 mg, Perilla (Perilla trutescens)
Leaf Extract 150 mg.
Other Ingredients: Capsule (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose), Cassava Maltodextrin.
APPROVED
Top Pick
for ginger supplements
Mountain Rose Herbs Ginger Root
Dist. by Mountain Rose Herbs
1 capsule
484 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 4.8 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 7.9 mg
Shogaols: 0.43 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 8.3 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ:
0.09%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.15 mcg per g)
Large capsule
Take 1 capsule with water.
Light color
$0.12/capsule
[$0.15 based on amount found]
$11.50/100 capsules
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
1 capsule
Organic Ginger Root 484 mg.
Other Ingredients: Pullulan capsule.
NOT APPROVED
Pure Mountain Botanicals™ Ginger
Dist. by Pure Mountain Botanicals™
2 veggie caps
1,000 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 10 mg gingerols +
shogaols
Found:
Gingerols: 2.2 mg
Shogaols: 1.2 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 3.4 mg (only 0.34% of root powder)
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ:
0.12%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.6 mcg per g)
Large veggie cap
Take 2 caps, 1-2 time per day or as directed by a health care professional.
$0.37/2 veggie caps
[$1.70 based on amount found]
$16.79/90 veggie caps
Kosher. Gluten Free. 100% Vegetarian.
2 veggie caps
Organic Ginger Root (Zingiber offiicinale) 1,000 mg.
Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose.
APPROVED
Puritan's Pride® Ginger Relief® Ginger
Root
Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.
1 capsule
550 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 5.5 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 3.3 mg
Shogaols: 2.1 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 5.4 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.38%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.62 mcg per g)
Large capsule
For adults, take (1) one capsule two times daily, preferably with meals.
$0.08/capsule
[$0.25 based on amount found]
$16.99/200 capsules
No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No
Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No
Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.
1 capsule
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (root) 550 mg.
Other Ingredients: Gelatin. Contains <2% of: Silica, Vegetable Magnesium
Stearate.
NOT APPROVED
Solaray® Ginger
Mfd. by Nutraceutical Corp.
2 VegCaps
1,080 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 11.8 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 9.4 mg
Shogaols: 3.7 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 13.2 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.35%
Heavy Metals: Fail, found 1.7 mcg lead per
daily serving (0.53 mcg per g)
Large VegCap
Take two VegCaps three times daily with a meal or glass of water.
$0.16/2 VegCaps
[$0.17 based on amount found]
$8.23/100 VegCaps
Non-GMO. Vegan. Organically grown.
Precaution: California Prop 65 warning for "Reproductive
Harm".
2 VegCaps
Organic Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (root) 1,080 mg.
Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule.
APPROVED
Spring Valley™ [Walmart] Ginger Root 550 mg
Dist. by Walmart Inc.
1 vegetarian capsule
550 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ: 5.5 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 4.9 mg
Shogaols: 1.2 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 6.1 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.21%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.19 mcg per g)
Large vegetarian capsule
Adults, take one capsule daily, preferably with a meal.
$0.04/vegetarian capsule
[$0.08 based on amount found]
$7.92/2 pack of 100 vegetarian capsules bottles (200 vegetarian capsules total)
No Gluten, Yeast, Wheat, Milk or Milk Derivatives,
Lactose, Sugar, Soy, Artificial Color, Artificial Flavor, Non-GMO.
1 vegetarian capsule
Organic Ginger Root Powder (Zingiber officinate) 550 mg.
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (capsule), Organic Rice Hull Concentrate.
Extract Supplement - Pill:
APPROVED
Pure Encapsulations® Ginger Extract
Mfd. by Pure Encapsulations
1 capsule
500 mg ginger root extract
Claimed: 25 mg (5% of
extract) gingerols ✔
Found:
Gingerols: 26.4 mg
Shogaols: 15.3 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 41.7 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 3.07%
Heavy Metals: NA
Large capsule
Take 1 capsule, 1-4 times daily, between meals.
Dark color. Powder is very spicy (very concentrated)
$0.44/capsule
[$0.18 based on amount claimed]
[$0.17 based on amount found]
$52.50/120 capsules
Gluten-free, Non-GMO & Hypoallergenic.
1 capsule
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract (root) (standardized to contain 5%
gingerols) 500 mg.
Other Ingredients: Vegetarian capsule (cellulose, water), hypoallergenic plant
fiber (cellulose).
Extract Supplement - Loose (Bagged)/Liquid:
NOT APPROVED
due to unusually low gingerols and high shogaols
BulkSupplements.com Ginger Root Extract
Dist. by BulkSupplements.com
0.5 g
500 mg ginger root extract
Found:
Gingerols: 1 mg (very low)
Shogaols: 6.3 mg (very high)
Gingerols + Shogaols: 7.3 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 1.25%
Heavy Metals: NA
Powder in pouch
Take 500 mg (about 1/5 tsp) once or twice daily, or as directed by a physician.
Unusually dark color, musty aroma, burnt taste
$0.06/0.5 g
[$0.57 based on amount found]
$11.96/3.5 oz [100 g] pouch (approx. 200 servings)
Free of: Added Sugar, Soy, Dairy, Yeast, Gluten,
Additives.
0.5 g
Ginger Root Extract (Zingiber officinale) (Root) 500 mg.
Other Ingredients: None.
APPROVED
Gaia® Herbs Ginger Root
Dist. by Gaia Herbs, Inc.
20 drops [0.67 ml]
335 mg ginger root extract (500 mg/ml herb equivalency)
Expected minimumⓘ: 3.4 mg gingerols
+ shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 2.7 mg
Shogaols: 0.86 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 3.6 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.26%
Heavy Metals: NA
Liquid from bottle
Adults take 15-20 drops of extract in a small amount of water 3 times daily
between meals.
Slight taste of ginger, in alcohol
$0.27/20 drops
[$0.98 based on amount found]
$11.96/1 fl oz [30 ml] bottle (approx. 45 servings)
USDA Organic seal.
20 drops
Organic Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root extract 0.67 mL.
Other Ingredients: Organic alcohol USP (60-70%) and water.
Combination (Root Powder & Extract)
Supplement:
APPROVED
Solgar® Ginger Root Extract
Mfd. by Solgar, Inc.
1 vegetable capsule
300 mg ginger root extract
Claimed: 15 mg ginger
phenols (from extract only) ✔
150 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ (from
powder): 1.5 mg gingerols + shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 14.3 mg
Shogaols: 7.8 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 22.1 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 1.73%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.17 mcg per g)
Large vegetable capsule
As an herbal supplement for adults, take one (1) vegetable capsule up to two
times daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
$0.23/vegetable capsule
[$0.16 based on amount found]
$14.09/60 vegetable capsules
Kosher. Gluten Free. Free Of: Gluten, Wheat,
Dairy, Soy, Yeast, Sugar, Sodium, Artificial Flavors, Sweetener, Preservatives
and Color.
1 vegetable capsule
Standardized Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinale) (root) (15 mg [5%]
ginger phenols) 300 mg, Ginger Root Powder (Zingiber officinale) 150 mg.
Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable
Magnesium Stearate, PhytO2X® Blend (L-ascorbic acid, natural beta-carotene).
NOT APPROVED
Vitacost Ginger Root Complexⓘ
Dist. by Vitacost.com®
1 capsule
250 mg ginger root extract
Claimed: 12.5 mg gingerols (from extract only)
100 mg ginger root powder
Expected minimumⓘ (from
powder): 1 mg gingerols + shogaols
Found:
Gingerols: 8.9 mg (only 66.6% of claim)
Shogaols:
5.3 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 14.1 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 1.5%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.05 mcg per g)
Large capsule
Take 1 capsule up to 3 times daily, or as directed by a healthcare
professional.
$0.05/capsule
[$0.06 based on amount found]
$6.42/120 capsules
Free of: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts,
Crustacean Shellfish, Fish, Soy, Gluten, Titanium Dioxide.
1 capsule
Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinale) (root) [Standardized to 5%
gingerols (12.5 mg)] 250 mg, Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (root) 100 mg.
Other Ingredients: Rice flour, gelatin and vegetable magnesium stearate.
Ginger Chews:
Not Ratedⓘ
Chimes™ Original Ginger Chews
Dist. by Roxy Trading, Inc.
1 chew
No claimed amount of ginger
Found:
Gingerols: 1.5 mg
Shogaols: 0.09 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 1.6 mg
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.01 mcg per g)
Very large chew
Sweet, ginger flavor and slightly spicy
$0.15/chew
[$1.00 based on amount found]
$14.99/100 chews
Precaution: Allergen Information: Manufactured in
facility that processes peanuts.
Ingredients: Cane Sugar, Ginger, Tapioca Starch.
Not Ratedⓘ
Prince of Peace® Original Ginger Chews
Dist. by Prince of Pease Ent., Inc.
1 chew
No claimed amount of ginger
Found:
Gingerols: 0.78 mg
Shogaols: 0.08 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 0.85 mg
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.01 mcg per g)
Very large chew
Strong ginger flavor, sweet, slightly spicy
$0.11/chew
[$1.38 based on amount found]
$23.98/8 pack of 28 chews pouches (224 chews total)
Gluten Free.
Precaution: Allergen Information: Manufactured in a plant that
processes peanuts.
1 chew
Calories 15, Total Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg,
Sodium 0 mg, Total Carbohydrate 4 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Total Sugars [Includes
3 g Added Sugars) 3 g, Protein 0 g, Vitamin D 0 mcg, Calcium 0 mg, Iron 0 mg,
Potassium 1 mg.
Ingredients: Cane Sugar, Tapioca Starch, Ginger, Coconut Fat.
Ginger Spices:
APPROVED
Top Pick
for ginger spices
Frontier® Co-op Ginger
Dist. by Frontier Co-op
1 g
1,000 mg ginger root powder
Expected Minimumⓘ: 10 mg gingerols +
shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 10 mg
Shogaols: 2.4 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 12.4 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.24%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.38 mcg per g)
Medium color, mild aroma and ginger flavor, spicy, slightly nutty flavor
$0.02/gram
[$0.02 based on amount found]
$11.20/16 oz [453 g] pouch
USDA Organic seal. Kosher.
Not listed on label.
APPROVED
Great Value® [Walmart] Organic Ground Ginger
Dist. by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
1 g
1,000 mg organic ginger root powder
Expected Minimumⓘ: 10 mg gingerols +
shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 7.9 mg
Shogaols: 5.3 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 13.2 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.53%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 1.1 mcg
per g)
Medium color, slightly musty aroma, little ginger flavor, slightly pungent
$0.04/gram
[$0.06 based on amount found]
$1.98/1.6 oz [45.4 g] bottle
USDA Organic seal. Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Ginger.
NOT APPROVED
Happy Belly Ground Gingerⓘ
Dist. by Amazon.com Services, LLC
1 g
1,000 mg ginger root powder
Expected Minimumⓘ:
10 mg gingerols + shogaols
Found:
Gingerols: 6.2 mg
Shogaols: 2.5 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 8.8 mg (only 0.88% of powder)
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.25%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.23 mcg per g)
Light color, mild aroma and ginger flavor, spicy.
$0.05/gram
[$0.08 based on amount found]
$3.99/2.75 oz [77 g] bottle
Kosher.
Not listed on label.
APPROVED
The Spice Hunter® Organic Ginger
Dist. by The Spice Hunter, Inc.
1 g
1,000 mg organic ginger root powder
Expected Minimumⓘ: 10 mg gingerols +
shogaols✔
Found:
Gingerols: 8 mg
Shogaols: 2 mg
Gingerols + Shogaols: 9.9 mg
% shogaols (wt/wt)ⓘ: 0.20%
Heavy Metals: Pass
(Lead: 0.24 mcg per g)
Light color, mild aroma and flavor
$0.27/gram
[$0.34 based on amount found]
$5.91/0.8 oz [22 g] bottle
Non GMO Project Verified seal. USDA Organic
seal. Quality Assurance International Certified Organic seal. Kosher.
Not listed on label.
Unless otherwise noted, information about the
products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL)
for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information
at any time, so be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products
you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it
may not necessarily be of the same quality as what was tested.
The information contained in this report is
based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and
analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate
testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect
the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot
assure the accuracy of information.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2021 All
rights reserved. Not to be reproduced, excerpted, or cited in any fashion
without the express written permission of ConsumerLab.com LLC
ConsumerTips™:
Consumers should look for the following
information on ginger labels:
·
Plant name (Ginger and/or Zingiber officinalis) and
part of plant (root and/or rhizome)
·
Form of ginger (powder or extract). Keep in mind that some
products have both.
·
Amount of ginger per serving in grams (g) or milligrams (mg) [1
gram = 1,000 milligrams]
·
If available, information about the compounds to which a product
is standardized: gingerols and shogaols. Ideally, products should contain a
minimum of 0.8% gingerols (8 mg per gram of ginger root powder) (the
concentration in fresh ginger is about 50% lower due to its higher water
content). Gingerols plus shogaols should be equal 1% of the listed weight of
the ingredient, with shogaols not exceeding 0.18% of the listed weight in
ginger root powder. Ginger extracts should contain even higher concentrations
of gingerols and will normally have higher concentrations of shogaols (although
excessive amounts of shogaols suggest that a product has been exposed to
excessive heat).
Be aware that ginger
ales tend to provide little in the way of gingerols. Tests by
ConsumerLab in 2016 showed that Canada Dry Ginger Ale, which
claimed to be "Made with Real Ginger," contained only a tiny amount
of gingerols -- 0.19 mg -- per bottle. This is equivalent to what you would
expect from just 24 mg of ginger powder, or about 1/100th of a teaspoonful, and
is roughly 1% of what you'll get from a ginger supplement. In fact, since the
bottle also lists 50 grams (50,000 mg) of sugar, you're swallowing more than
2,000 times as much sugar as ginger from Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
Similarly, tests of REED'S Original Ginger Brew "All Natural
Jamaican Style Ginger Ale," which claimed "17 grams fresh
ginger per bottle" provided only 3.9 mg of gingerols (5.7% of the amount
expected from 17 grams of ginger). One would also have expected to see ginger
root material in the ale, but the ale was essentially clear and had no sediment.
Dosage used
·
For nausea caused by motion sickness, 1 gram of
ginger powder 20 minutes prior to exposure to motion (Mowrey, Lancet 1982); for pregnancy-related or
anthracycline chemotherapy related nausea, 1 gram of ginger
powder daily, taken in divided doses (four doses of 250 mg or two doses of 500
mg) (Estelle, Nutr J 2014; Arslan, Clin J Oncol Nurs 2015)
·
For heartburn / indigestion, 200 mg of ginger root
extract (Ginfort providing > 52 mg of gingerols) twice daily may
reduce symptoms after 4 weeks (Panda,
J Diet Suppl 2020).
·
For osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, 500 mg
to 1,000 mg (1 gram) of ginger extract daily may modestly reduce pain (Bartels, Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2015). It is
probably best to take in divided doses.
·
For people with type 2 diabetes, 1.6 or 3 grams of
ginger powder daily, taken in divided doses after meals, may lower blood
glucose and HbA1c levels (Daily, J Ethnic Foods 2015).
·
For weight loss, 1 to 3 grams of ginger root powder
daily may slightly help (Maharlouei, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2019).
Concerns and Cautions:
·
Single ingredient ginger products are believed to be safe,
short-term, at doses as high as three grams per day. Side-effects reported in
clinical studies tend to be mild and include stomach upset and
heartburn (complaints of "bad taste" have also been noted).
However, long-term safety studies have not been conducted.
·
Ginger may have a blood-thinning effect and may
potentially increase the risk of bleeding in people taking blood thinning
medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), heparin, ticlopidine
(Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), etc. For example, a
70-year-old woman on a consistent warfarin regimen (7.5 mg six days per week
and 10 mg one day per week) experienced a significant increase in INR (a
measure of the time it takes blood to clot) one month after she began taking a
ginger supplement providing 48 mg of dried ginger root daily (Ginger Rescue,
The Ginger People). Although she did not experience bleeding, her INR increased
from 2.7 to 8.0 after taking the ginger. Her doctors advised her to stop ginger
supplementation and withhold three doses of warfarin. After one week, her INR
returned to 2.6 and she was able to resume her regular warfarin regimen (Rubin, Case Rep Med 2019). Caution should also
be used when taking with blood-thinning supplements (e.g., fish oil, CoQ10,
turmeric/curcumin, ginkgo, chondroitin). Due to increased risk of
bleeding, ginger should not be taken at least two weeks before surgery.
·
In a population study among women in Norway, those who reported
using ginger (from foods, drinks and supplements) during pregnancy (around
1,000 women) were somewhat more likely to experience vaginal bleeding (7.8%
vs. 5.8%) after 17 weeks gestation; however, there was no increased risk for
stillbirth/perinatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, malformations or
low Apgar score (Heitmann, Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2013). Due
to increased risk of bleeding, ginger should not be taken by pregnant women
close to their delivery date.
·
Ginger may lower blood sugar levels or affect insulin
levels. Ginger should be used with caution in people with
hypoglycemia or those taking medication to lower blood sugar.
·
Although ginger has been used to prevent chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting (with mixed success), be aware that ginger
may interact with some chemotherapeutic drugs, potentially dangerously
raising their levels. This appears to have occurred in a woman with lung cancer
being treated with crizotinib. After several months of therapy, she began
consuming up to 1 liter per day of a drink made with grated ginger, honey,
lemon juice and hot water. This appears to have significantly raised crizotinib
blood levels, causing liver toxicity. Criznonitib, like many other drugs, is
metabolized by the enzyme CYP3A4, but ginger has been shown in lab studies to
significantly inhibit the activity of this enzyme (as well as that of CYP2C9
and P-glycoprotein) (Revol, Br J Pharmacol 2019).
·
Safety in individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has
not been established.
Information on this site
is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any
product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or
other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be
used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Consumers should
inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they take.
Latest Clinical Research Updates for Ginger Supplements
11/26/2021
We have added information
to our Ginger reviews to include recent tests of
spices for toxic heavy metals, such as lead, expanding the number of brands
tested.
5/25/2021
Can ginger extract reduce
vomiting due to stomach flu? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of the Ginger
Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among ginger supplements, chews, and spices.
12/16/2020
Can taking ginger extract
help reduce symptoms of indigestion? Find out what a recent study showed in
the What It Does section
of the Ginger Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for ginger
supplements.
10/10/2020
Can ginger help burn
calories and reduce weight? Find out what recent studies show in the What It Does section
of our Ginger Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for ginger.
9/10/2019
Can ginger reduce the
frequency or severity of migraines? See what a new study found in the Migraine section of
the Ginger Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for
ginger supplements.