Ginseng Clinical Evidence

Topic:
Can Panax ginsenglower glucose levels and improve cognitive performance?

Background:
Previous studies have shown that single doses of ginseng can lower blood glucose levels and improve cognitive performance. This study sought to replicate these findings.

Study Type:
Human intervention trial

Study Design:
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced-crossover. Subjects took a cognitive test at baseline and then took either ginseng capsules or placebo. Thirty minutes later, they consumed a drink containing either glucose or placebo. An hour after the baseline cognitive test, they took a battery of additional cognitive tests. Blood glucose levels were measured several times during the experiment.

Subjects:
27 healthy young adults

Dosage:
200 mg, single dose

Results:
Both glucose and Panax ginsengimproved performance on the mental arithmetic tasks and reduced feelings of fatigue induced by the tests.

Conclusion:
Panax ginsengcaused a reduction in blood glucose levels 1 hour following consumption when ingested without glucose. These results confirm that Panax ginseng may possess glucoregulatory properties and can enhance cognitive performance.