TL;DR
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Kwon et al., 2026) published in the journal Nutrients shows that 480 mg of steamed ginger extract (GGE03) daily for 12 weeks significantly reduces body fat percentage, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared to placebo. No product-related side effects were observed. Ginger is not a miracle cure, but the data are solid.
Table of contents at a glance
- Ginger - From kitchen spice to research subject
- The study in detail: design, participants and methodology
- Results: Body fat, weight, and blood lipids
- How does infused ginger extract work? The mechanisms.
- Honest assessment: What the study can do – and what it can't.
- Practical advice: Ginger, metabolism, and what really helps
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Sources
Written by Ayuba Langer | Founder, Ayuba Nutrition
Last checked: February 2026 | Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
1. Ginger - From kitchen spice to research subject
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the oldest medicinal plants known to humankind. For over 2,000 years, this pungent root has been used in traditional medicine to treat nausea, inflammation, and digestive problems. In modern nutritional science, ginger has long held a firm place: studies have shown that its bioactive components, including gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones, possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-regulating properties.
What many don't know: Raw ginger has a problem. Many of its bioactive compounds are chemically unstable. They degrade during processing and storage, leading to enormous fluctuations in composition and biological effectiveness. This is precisely where an innovative approach comes in: steam processing of ginger.
High-pressure steam treatment produces a specific ingredient called 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione (GD), which is hardly present in raw ginger. GD is thermally stable, highly biologically active, and has demonstrated strong lipid-regulating properties in preclinical studies. The resulting standardized extract is called GGE03.
In January 2026, the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (RCT) on this extract was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients. We at Ayuba have read and analyzed it for you – evidence-based, transparent, and without hype.
definition
Steamed ginger extract (GGE03) is a standardized plant extract from ginger (Zingiber officinale) produced using a special steaming process at 97 degrees Celsius. This heat treatment creates the thermally stable bioactive compound 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione (GD), which possesses AMPK-activating, lipolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to have a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism in preclinical models.
2. The study in detail: design, participants and methodology
Why this study is special
In the world of supplements, miracles are promised daily. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the study design. The study by Kwon et al. (2026) meets the highest standards of clinical research: it is randomized (random group assignment), double-blind (neither participants nor physicians knew who received the extract or the placebo), and placebo-controlled. Furthermore, it adhered to CONSORT guidelines and ICH GCP standards – ensuring maximum methodological transparency.
The study protocol underwent ethical review and was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India. This is important because prior registration prevents researchers from retrospectively "adjusting" endpoints to present better results.
Study profile: Kwon et al., 2026
| Study type | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (RCT) |
| journal | Nutrients (MDPI), peer-reviewed, open access |
| Published | January 22, 2026 |
| Participant | 80 overweight adults (BMI 25.0-29.9), aged 18-60 |
| intervention | 480 mg GGE03/day (2 tablets) vs. placebo, 12 weeks |
| Primary endpoint | Body fat percentage and body fat mass (measured by DEXA) |
| Secondary endpoints | Body weight, BMI, waist/hip circumference, blood lipid levels |
| Measurement method | DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) - gold standard |
| Compliance | On average, over 90% in both groups |
The participants
The study included 80 overweight adults with a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9. This corresponds to the WHO criterion for "overweight"—not obese, but people who are carrying a few extra kilograms. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: 40 people received the ginger extract GGE03 (480 mg daily), the other 40 a visually identical placebo.
At the start of the study, both groups were comparable in all relevant parameters – sex, age, height, weight, BMI, and body fat percentage did not differ significantly. This is crucial, because only then can one be certain that any observed differences are actually attributable to the extract.
Important: Participants were explicitly instructed to maintain their usual eating habits and activity levels throughout the 12 weeks. And indeed, there were no significant differences in diet or physical activity between the groups – so the results are not skewed by lifestyle changes.
Why DEXA is important
A major advantage of this study: Body composition was measured using DEXA. This is the gold standard in clinical research – significantly more precise than bioimpedance scales or skinfold measurements. DEXA reliably distinguishes between bone, fat tissue, and muscle mass and delivers reproducible results. When a study uses DEXA, we can trust the body fat data much more than with less precise methods.
3. Results: Body fat, weight and blood lipids
Now it gets interesting. Let's look at the numbers – honestly and with nuance.
Body composition (DEXA)
The primary endpoint – body fat percentage – decreased by an average of 1.18 percentage points in the GGE03 group after 12 weeks (p = 0.028). In the placebo group, it increased slightly by 0.37 percentage points. The difference between the groups was highly significant (p = 0.009). In absolute terms, the net difference is therefore approximately 1.55 percentage points less body fat in favor of the ginger extract.
Body fat mass also decreased by 2.01 lbs in the GGE03 group, while it increased by 0.98 lbs in the placebo group. The group difference was statistically significant (p = 0.034).
Particularly positive: The lean body mass remained stable in both groups. This means that the weight loss actually came from fat tissue – not from muscle mass or water. This is a crucial quality marker, because many diets and supplements lead to weight loss at the expense of muscle mass.
Body weight and body mass
The GGE03 group lost an average of 1.0 kg of body weight (p = 0.007), while the placebo group gained 0.63 kg. The group difference was highly significant (p = 0.001). Similarly, BMI decreased by 0.36 points in the ginger group, while it increased by 0.24 points in the placebo group (p = 0.001).
Waist and hip circumference
Here, too, clear effects were observed. Waist circumference—an important marker for visceral abdominal fat and metabolic risk—decreased by 0.96 cm in the GGE03 group, while it increased by 0.55 cm in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Hip circumference decreased by 1.13 cm in the ginger group, while the placebo group showed no significant change (p = 0.001).
However, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) did not change significantly in any group - suggesting that overall body fat was reduced, not just in one specific area.
Blood lipid levels
In addition to body composition, serum lipid profiles were also measured - and here too the study provided positive signals.
Total cholesterol (TC) decreased slightly in the GGE03 group (-2.94 mg/dL), while it increased significantly in the placebo group (+12.62 mg/dL). The group difference was significant (p = 0.007). A similar pattern was observed for triglycerides: a reduction of 11.72 mg/dL in the ginger group versus a minimal increase in the placebo group (p = 0.043).
LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and adiponectin showed no significant group differences. This is not surprising given the relatively normal baseline values and the intervention duration of only 12 weeks.
Summary of results: GGE03 vs. placebo after 12 weeks
* p < 0.05 | ** p < 0.01 | ns = not significant. All values represent the mean change from baseline to week 12.
Security
During the 12-week study, 8 participants experienced adverse events (6 in the GGE03 group, 2 in the placebo group). All were mild and none were classified as product-related. No serious adverse events occurred. Blood counts, liver and kidney function, blood pressure, and pulse remained within normal limits in both groups.
This aligns with the general safety profile of ginger: The US FDA classifies ginger as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), and previous clinical studies with the same GGE03 extract in patients with functional dyspepsia and mild osteoarthritis also showed no clinically relevant safety concerns.
4. How does steamed ginger extract work? The mechanisms
For us at Ayuba, a positive study result alone is not enough. We want to understand why something works. The mechanistic explanation is a key quality criterion of good research.
The key: AMPK activation
The most important mechanism is probably the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is a key energy sensor in our cells—this enzyme can be thought of as a kind of "metabolic master switch." When AMPK is activated, the following happens: Fat oxidation (fat burning) is increased, fat synthesis (lipogenesis) is reduced, and glucose uptake into cells is improved.
Preclinical studies with GGE03 have shown that the extract triggers precisely this cascade. Specifically, AMPK phosphorylation leads to the inhibition of key factors in fat storage, including SREBP-1c (regulating fat synthesis in the liver), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and PPARgamma (a major regulator of adipocyte formation).
Why steamed is better than raw
A crucial point that distinguishes this study from previous ginger studies is that steam processing fundamentally alters the ingredient profile. The unstable 6-shogaol, to which previous studies were standardized, is converted into the significantly more stable and biologically active 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione (GD).
A previous clinical study by Park et al. (2020), which used a steamed ginger extract standardized to 6-shogaol, found effects on body weight and BMI, but no significant changes in total body fat or abdominal fat. The authors of the current study attribute this to the thermolabile nature of 6-shogaol: it degrades during extraction and storage, leading to inconsistent efficacy.
In contrast, GD shows stronger AMPK-activating, lipolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties than 6-shogaol in comparative studies. This chemical stability is likely a major reason why the current study shows more consistent and broader effects.
Improvement of insulin sensitivity
In addition to fat burning, GD has also improved glucose utilization in skeletal muscle in preclinical models via upregulation of IRS-1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) and GLUT4 (glucose transporter type 4). This suggests improved peripheral insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, GD appears to promote insulin secretion by closing KATP channels in pancreatic beta cells.
Important classification
The mechanistic findings are primarily derived from cell and animal models (in vitro/in vivo preclinical). They offer a plausible biological explanation for the clinical results, but are not directly transferable to humans. The clinical trial itself did not measure any mechanistic endpoints – it shows that it works, but the question of the exact "why" in humans remains partially unanswered.
The 7 most important results of the GGE03 study at a glance
- Body fat percentage: Significant reduction of 1.18 percentage points in 12 weeks (DEXA-measured, p = 0.009 vs. placebo)
- Body weight: Significant weight loss of an average of 1.0 kg (p = 0.001 vs. placebo)
- Waist circumference: reduction of almost 1 cm - a marker for reduced visceral fat (p = 0.001)
- Muscle mass maintained: Fat-free mass remained stable – weight loss came from fat tissue, not muscle.
- Cholesterol reduced: Total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly reduced compared to placebo
- No side effects: Not a single product-related adverse event in 12 weeks.
- Robust design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled with DEXA as the gold standard measurement method
5. Honest assessment: What the study can do – and what it cannot.
Transparency is one of our core values at Ayuba Nutrition. Therefore, here is a frank analysis of the limitations – even if the results look impressive at first glance.
Strengths of the study
- Gold standard design: RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- DEXA as the most precise measurement method for body composition
- High compliance (over 90%) in both groups
- Consistent results across all primary and secondary endpoints
- No significant differences in diet and activity
- Comprehensive security data collected
- Pre-registered and ethically vetted
Limitations of the study
- Small sample (n = 80, of which 73 were in per-protocol analysis)
- Only 12 weeks - long-term effects unknown
- Only study center in India - generalizability limited
- Predominantly male participants (92%) - hardly any data on women
- DEXA does not differentiate between visceral and subcutaneous fat.
- Per-protocol analysis instead of intention-to-treat
- Conflicts of interest: Co-authors are employees of the manufacturing companies.
- First clinical trial - no replication by independent groups yet
Our take: What does that really mean?
We feel it's important to address the elephant in the room: The study was partially funded by Genencell Co., Ltd. and 3H LABS Co., Ltd. – companies that manufacture and distribute the GGE03 extract, respectively. Two of the authors are employees of these companies. This is not uncommon in supplement research and doesn't automatically invalidate the results – but it does require increased caution in their interpretation.
On the positive side, the study underwent peer review, was pre-registered, and was methodologically sound. The effect sizes are within the range reported by meta-analyses of ginger supplementation (weighted mean differences of -0.87% to -1.49% in body fat percentage compared to the control group). This suggests that the results are at least within a plausible range.
What is needed now: Larger, multicenter studies with longer durations, ideally conducted by independent research groups. Furthermore, studies with more female participants and using imaging techniques such as CT or MRI to investigate the effects on visceral fat more precisely.
Ginger extract in context: Comparison with other approaches
6. Practical application: Ginger, metabolism and what really helps
Can you simply buy GGE03?
Currently, GGE03 is not widely available as a standardized extract in Europe as a standalone product. The extract is manufactured by the South Korean company Genencell and is primarily used in clinical trials and in select markets in Asia. It is currently unclear whether and when a product containing GGE03 will be approved for sale in Germany.
However, what you can do is this: General ginger research—not just on GGE03, but on various ginger preparations—shows a consistent pattern of positive effects on body weight and blood lipids. This means that ginger as a regular part of your diet is definitely beneficial.
What research says about ginger overall
Two recent meta-analyses (Rafieipour et al., 2024; Rjabi et al., 2025) systematically evaluated the overall situation regarding ginger supplementation and body weight. The weighted mean differences in body fat percentage ranged from -0.87% to -1.49% compared to the control group. The current GGE03 result of -1.55% is therefore at the upper end of what has been reported for ginger supplements—plausible and encouraging, but not extraordinary.
What really matters
No supplement in the world can replace the basics. We at Ayuba have to emphasize this again and again, even if it's not what most people want to hear. The three pillars of successful body fat reduction are and remain a moderate calorie deficit (300-500 kcal/day is sufficient for most), regular strength training to maintain muscle mass, and adequate sleep and stress management.
Once these basics are in place, evidence-based supplements such as creatine (for training performance and muscle mass), omega-3 fatty acids (for inflammation management) and possibly ginger extracts (for metabolic support) can complete the overall picture.
For beginners
Want to improve your body composition? The best first step isn't a supplement, but strength training plus moderate dietary adjustments. If you're already training, creatine monohydrate is the supplement with the strongest evidence base for muscle mass and training performance.
For advanced users
Do you train regularly and want to specifically support your metabolism? Omega-3 fatty acids are evidence-based for inflammation management and cardiovascular health – both relevant for body fat reduction. Combined with creatine, they form a solid, evidence-based stack.
For professionals & biohackers
Are you optimizing at a high level and actively following research? The GGE03 data is an interesting signal from nutritional science. Keep an eye on developments – once replicated data and approved products are available, AMPK modulation via ginger extracts could become a valuable component of a stack.
What you can do today
Strengthen your evidence-based foundation
While ginger research is still developing, the data for other supplements is already rock-solid. Creatine monohydrate is the best-researched supplement for strength, muscle mass, and cognitive performance. 100% Creapure, made in Germany, lab-tested purity. 1000g Doypack provides over 6 months' supply at 5g daily.
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View Creapure Creatine now7. Conclusion
The study by Kwon et al. (2026) is the most methodologically rigorous clinical investigation to date on the effects of diluted ginger extract on body fat reduction. The results are consistent and statistically significant: less body fat, less weight, a smaller waist circumference, and improved blood lipid levels—all while preserving muscle mass and demonstrating a very good safety profile.
At the same time, we must remain realistic: This is a single study with 80 participants and a duration of only 12 weeks. The effect sizes are real, but moderate—we're not talking about a revolution, but rather a promising signal. The involvement of the manufacturers necessitates independent replication before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
In practical terms, this means that ginger remains a fascinating area of research at the intersection of traditional medicine and modern nutritional science. Those who want to reduce body fat should continue to focus on the basics – calorie management, strength training, sleep – and use evidence-based supplements like creatine, for which the data is already extensive.
We are closely monitoring the development of GGE03 and similar bioactive plant extracts and will keep you updated as soon as the evidence becomes more conclusive.
Medical note
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are overweight or obese, please consult your doctor for personalized advice. The study discussed in this article represents preliminary research findings and does not constitute any health claims regarding ginger products.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
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9. Sources
- Kwon JE, Lee YG, Kim I, Bae J, Kang SC, Baek HI. Efficacy and Safety of Steamed Ginger Extract for Body Weight and Body Fat Reduction in Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2026;18(2):366.doi:10.3390/nu18020366
- Rafieipour N, Gharbi N, Rahimi H, et al. Ginger intervention on body weight and body composition in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 27 randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev 2024;82:1651-1665. PubMed
- Rjabi S, Seyedhatami SS, Makhtoomi M, et al. Impact of ginger supplementation on obesity indices and adipokine profiles in adults: A GRADE-based systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 2025;94:103260. PubMed
- Park SH, Jung SJ, Choi EK, et al. The effects of steamed ginger ethanolic extract on weight and body fat loss: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2020;29:265-273. PubMed
- Choi YJ, Jung JI, Lim S, et al. Steamed Ginger Extract (GGE03) Attenuates Obesity and Improves Metabolic Parameters in Association with AMPK Activation and Lipid Metabolism Regulation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26:8950. PubMed
- Nam YH, Hong BN, Rodriguez I, et al. Steamed ginger may enhance insulin secretion through KATP channel closure in pancreatic beta-cells potentially by increasing 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione content. Nutrients. 2020;12:324. PubMed
- Maharlouei N, Tabrizi R, Lankarani KB, et al. The effects of ginger intake on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight and obese subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59:1753-1766. PubMed
- Baek HI, Ha NR, Kim C, et al. Efficacy and safety of steamed ginger extract for gastric health: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center clinical trial. Food Function 2025;16:7316-7329. PubMed
- Baek HI, Shen L, Ha KC, et al. Effectiveness and safety of steamed ginger extract on mild osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Food Function 2024;15:9512-9523. PubMed
- Lee YG, Lee SR, Baek HJ, et al. The effects of body fat reduction through the metabolic control of steam-processed ginger extract in high-fat-diet-fed mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25:2982. PubMed
- Ayustaningwarno F, Anjani G, Ayu AM, Fogliano V. A critical review of Ginger's (Zingiber officinale) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Front Nutr. 2024;11:1364836. PubMed
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