Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver is a very common chronic liver disease that is caused by some factors such as insulin resistance, central obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The beneficial effects of ginger on metabolic disorders have been shown previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ginger supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Materials & methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial study, 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease participated in the intervention and placebo groups. For 12 weeks the intervention and placebo groups received 2 gram of ginger or placebo, respectively.  Both groups were advised to follow a balanced diet and physical activity recommendations. Levels of inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

Findings: Ginger supplementation reduced inflammatory biomarkers, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and triglyceride levels more than placebo, but there were no significant changes in total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in each group.

Discussion & conclusions: Ginger supplementation reduced levels of some cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.