Red Ginger and Its Effects on Diabetes Patients

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. This condition is caused by insufficient insulin production or the body's inability to use insulin effectively. Reporting from the Ministry of Health website, diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global health emergencies in the 21st century. There are more than half a billion people worldwide living with diabetes, and it is estimated that this number could increase by 20% by 2030.

Based on data from the 10th edition of the International Diabetes Federation in 2021, in Indonesia it is estimated that the population of adults with diabetes aged between 20-79 years is 19,465,100 people, or 10.6% of the total population. In other words, in the 20-79 year age group, there are 1 in 9 people living with diabetes.

As a type of chronic disease, diabetes cannot be cured. However, this disease can be controlled so that sufferers have a better quality of life. Diabetes management involves lifestyle changes, weight control, and diet management. It is important for people with diabetes to increase their consumption of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, and engage in physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and improve insulin sensitivity. Another thing that must also be considered is stress management so that it does not cause an increase in blood sugar levels.

One herbal plant that can help manage blood sugar levels is red ginger. The plant with the Latin name Zingiber officinale var. This rubrum has been known since ancient times to treat various diseases, such as arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscle aches, pain, sore throats, cramps, digestive disorders, hypertension, and even diabetes. This is because red ginger contains bioactive compounds such as gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone which have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gastroprotective properties.

Research conducted by Al-Amin et al. (2006) stated that giving red ginger extract to test animals with induced diabetes was able to reduce blood sugar levels significantly. The condition of diabetes often causes complications of diabetic nephropathy, namely a decrease in the ability of the kidneys to work. The main indicator of diabetic nephropathy is proteinuria, which is a buildup of protein in the urine. Apart from being able to reduce blood sugar levels, administering red ginger extract also has the effect of significantly reducing protein levels in urine.

Diabetes is also known to increase the production of free radicals in the body which may cause dysfunction in pancreatic cells. Based on research conducted by Singh et al. (2009), the gingerol content in red ginger extract is able to reduce levels of free radicals in the body, as well as increase levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and kidneys. Thus, it can be said that red ginger is effective in preventing liver and kidney damage in diabetes.

For those of you who have diabetes, there's no harm in starting to consume red ginger, either in the form of ginger tea, ginger extract, or added to food. As an alternative, you can also consume Redgine which is made from 100% Indonesian red ginger. Redgine is very practical and definitely has a delicious taste. Blood sugar is controlled, the body becomes healthier.

Reference:

Al-Amin, Z.M. et al. 2006. Anti-Diabetic and Hypolipidaemic Properties of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. British Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 96.

Singh, A.B. et al. 2009. Anti-Hyperglycemic, Lipid Lowering and Anti-Oxidant Properties of [6]-Gingerol in Db/Db Mice. International Journal of Medicine and Medicinal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 12.