Two studies published in November have addressed the issue of inflammation due to obesity. "Ginger Extract Ameliorates Obesity and Inflammation via Regulating MicroRNA-21/132 Expression and AMPK Activation in White Adipose Tissue," by Seunghae Kim et al., looked at the effects of ginger on inflammation; the other study, "Tart Cherry Reduces Inflammation in Adipose Tissue of Zucker Fatty Rats and Cultured 3T3-L1 Adipocytes," by Shasika Jayarathne et al., looked at the effects of tart cherry powder on inflammation. Both were published in Nutrients.
A high-hydrostatic pressure extract of ginger (HPG) mitigated the effects of a high-fat diet on rats, lowering serum and hepatic lipid levels and lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The other study was also conducted on rats. It found that rats fed a diet that included tart cherry powder had significantly reduced adipose tissue inflammation and fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly when compared to rats in the control group.
The ginger study noted that HPG promoted lipid excretion and regulation of the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The tart cherry study noted that tart cherry supplementation reduced fatty acid synthesis and increased antioxidant activity in adipocytes and adipose tissue.
Both studies came to the conclusion that further research in humans is warranted.
