Ginger Supplementation Reverses Brain Damage and Memory Loss from High-Fat Diets

Jenn Hoskins
10th August, 2024

Ginger Supplementation Reverses Brain Damage and Memory Loss from High-Fat Diets

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) explored the effects of ginger supplementation on obese mice
  • Obese mice showed impaired memory, but ginger supplementation reversed this cognitive decline
  • Ginger also reduced anxiety levels and improved antioxidant status in the brains of obese mice
Obesity is a growing health concern linked to numerous adverse outcomes, including impaired cognitive function. Pharmacological treatments for obesity are limited and often come with serious side effects. Recent research from Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) has explored the potential benefits of Zingiber officinale (ginger) supplementation on cognitive function, anxiety levels, and oxidative stress in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice[1]. The study involved two-month-old male Swiss mice fed either a hypercaloric diet to induce obesity or a standard chow diet for four months. The mice were then divided into four groups: a control group receiving a vehicle (CNT + vehicle), a control group supplemented with Zingiber officinale (CNT + ZO), an obese group receiving a vehicle (DIO + vehicle), and an obese group supplemented with Zingiber officinale (DIO + ZO). The ginger extract was administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for 35 days via oral gavage. The findings revealed that the DIO + vehicle group exhibited impaired recognition memory, a common consequence of obesity. This aligns with previous research showing that high-fat, high-sugar diets can negatively impact brain function and contribute to anxiety disorders[2]. Interestingly, the DIO + ZO group showed a reversal of cognitive impairment, suggesting that ginger supplementation may counteract some of the adverse effects of obesity on the brain. The study also assessed anxiety levels using the open field test and the plus maze test. The CNT + ZO group presented a greater number of crossings in the open field, indicating reduced anxiety levels. However, no significant differences were observed between the groups in the plus maze test. Oxidative stress and inflammation are known contributors to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases[3]. The DIO + vehicle group showed increased levels of DCFH and protein carbonylation in the cortex, markers of oxidative stress. Additionally, a reduction in catalase activity, an important antioxidant enzyme, was observed in this group. These findings are consistent with studies suggesting that high plasma glucose levels, even within the normal range, can lead to brain atrophy and cognitive decline[4]. Zingiber officinale supplementation appeared to enhance the antioxidant status of the cerebral cortex in DIO mice. This aligns with previous research highlighting the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger and its potential therapeutic benefits for age-related neurological disorders[3]. The study found no significant differences in the expression of inflammatory or neurotrophin markers in the cerebral cortex between the groups, suggesting that the cognitive benefits of ginger may be primarily due to its antioxidant effects. In conclusion, the study from Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) provides compelling evidence that Zingiber officinale supplementation can reverse cognitive impairment and enhance antioxidant status in the cerebral cortex of diet-induced obese mice. These findings underscore the potential of ginger as a natural therapeutic agent for mitigating some of the adverse effects of obesity on brain health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term benefits and mechanisms underlying these effects.

MedicineNutritionHealth

References

Main Study

1) Reversal of high-fat diet-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the brain through Zingiber officinale supplementation.

Published 9th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-024-01406-8

Related Studies

2) The impact of obesity and hypercaloric diet consumption on anxiety and emotional behavior across the lifespan.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.10.014

3) Pharmacotherapeutic potential of ginger and its compounds in age-related neurological disorders.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.08.010

4) Higher normal fasting plasma glucose is associated with hippocampal atrophy: The PATH Study.

https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31826846de


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