The effects of ginseng supplementation on anthropometric indices and body composition: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to systematically review the efficacy of panax ginseng supplementation on anthropometric indices in adults. Methods: PubMed Scopus ISI Web of Science Google Scholar and the Cochrane library were searched up to February 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of ginseng supplementation on anthropometric indices including weight body mass index (BMI) waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage were included. Pooled effect size measured using random effect model (DerSimmonon method). Results: Eleven eligible RCTs were considered. Meta-analysis showed that ginseng did not have any significant effect on weight (MD: -0.038 kg 95 CI: -0.665 0.589 p = 0.905) BMI (MD: 0.103 kg/m(2) 95 CI: -0.080 0.286 p = 0.268) WC (MD: 0.117 cm 95 CI: -4.385 4.620 p = 0.959) and body fat percentage (MD: -1.137 95 CI: -4.006 1.732 p = 0.437). Moreover no significant effect was observed in subgroup analysis. Conclusion: It seems that ginseng supplementation does not affect anthropometric and body composition indices in adults. Further large-scale well-designed studies are warranted.