Abstract
Background Obesity and its related comorbidities are a major health concern, with numbers increasing globally. There is a need for innovative approaches to prevent obesity or mitigate the negative health effects. Research suggests that ginger consumption has an anti-obesity effect through various mechanisms, including changes in lipid metabolism and increases in thermogenesis. This study assessed the effects of a ginger-containing supplement on energy expenditure and substrate utilization. Methods Ten males volunteered for this double-blind, two-dose crossover, proof-of-concept study. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were assessed prior to supplementation and throughout both study visits. After consuming a ginger-containing supplement (Gyngerlean™ 100 or 200 mg doses), REE was assessed at 60, 120, and 180 minutes at each visit. There was a minimum 24-hour washout period between the two study visits. Results No significant differences were observed at baseline between the 100 mg and 200 mg doses for REE (100 mg: 2203 ± 497 kcal vs. 200 mg: 2454 ± 501 kcal; p = 0.2408) or the RER (100 mg: 0.79 ± 0.09 vs. 200 mg: 0.81 ± 0.04; p = 0.4911). Post-dosing, the 100 mg dose showed no significant changes in REE or RER over all time points. For the 200 mg dose, REE remained stable over all time points (no significant change), while the RER showed a significant reduction at 120 and 180 minutes post-consumption (p < 0.05). Conclusion This exploratory study demonstrated increased fat oxidation following acute ingestion of a ginger-containing supplement (200 mg), suggesting the potential role of ginger in weight and body composition management. Future studies are needed to further the understanding and potential application of this finding. More research is warranted.