Ginseng research
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Ginseng-induced blood glucose level reductions following a meal are time-dependent but not dose-dependent, Canadian researchers report in April American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vladimir Vuksan, University of Toronto, et al., administered placebo, 1 g, 2 g or 3 g American ginseng to 12 healthy subjects at 40, 20 or 10 minutes before, or simultaneous with, a 25 g oral glucose challenge. "American ginseng significantly lowers the postprandial glycemic response...from 9% to 15%," researchers report, noting "only when administration was 40 min. before the challenge were differences in glycemia observed." Doses within 1-3 g range were equally effective, Vuksan et al. found, suggesting future studies should examine lower doses and the botanical's "long-term efficacy, safety" as a diabetes therapy