Visceral fat reduction with 6-paradol-standardized fermented ginger extract among healthy Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: 6-Paradol, a minor constituent of ginger, has demonstrated fatty acid–degrading activity. Our previous study reported that a yeast-fermented ginger extract containing 6-‑paradol, produced using a Metschnikowia strain, exerted anti-obesity and visceral fat–reducing effects in mice fed a high-fat diet. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of daily fermented ginger extract powder intake on visceral fat accumulation in healthy Japanese adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 and <30.0 kg/m2. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted. Sixty-eight healthy Japanese adults with elevated visceral fat area (VFA) were randomized to a test group (n = 34; fermented ginger extract powder 100 mg/day, containing 2.0 mg of 6-paradol) or placebo group (n = 34). After 12 weeks, abdominal VFA was assessed as the primary outcome. Results: After 12 weeks, VFA did not differ significantly between groups. No significant between-group differences were observed in parameters obtained from X-ray computed tomography (CT). However, in the subgroup with baseline BMI below the median, body weight and BMI were significantly reduced. Conclusions: Fermented ginger extract with a standardized content of 6-paradol intake reduced body weight and BMI in overweight, otherwise healthy adults, with greater effects among those with baseline BMI ≥ 25.0 and <–<26.6 kg/m2. No intake-related adverse events were observed, indicating acceptable safety under study conditions. Novelty and scientific contribution: This study provides the first clinical evidence that a yeast‑fermented ginger extract standardized for 6-paradol can beneficially modulate body weight in overweight adults. By translating previously observed anti‑obesity effects from animal models to humans, our findings highlight fermented ginger extract as a promising functional food ingredient for weight management, particularly among individuals with moderately elevated BMI. Trial registration: jRCT1030240748 Keywords: fermented ginger extract; 6-paradol; obesity; visceral fat; body weight; BMI.
Institution: Orthomedico Inc. (Japan)
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204455117