Nutrition Diet: Does Ginger Increase IGF-1 and What the Studies Show

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to animal studies in rams and turkeys, dietary ginger supplementation has shown a notable effect on growth-related hormones. This raises a critical question for human health and fitness enthusiasts: Does ginger increase IGF-1?

Quick Summary

This article examines existing scientific literature, primarily focusing on animal models and in-vitro studies, which report a link between ginger consumption and increased IGF-1 or related pathway modulation. It highlights the current lack of direct human evidence for this specific effect and contrasts findings with broader metabolic benefits observed in human trials.

Key Points

Animal Studies Show Promise: Research on animals like rams and turkeys has demonstrated that ginger supplementation can increase IGF-1 levels and upregulate related gene expression.
Human Data is Lacking: There is currently no direct and conclusive evidence from human clinical trials showing that ginger supplementation increases IGF-1 in people.
Metabolic Link Exists: Human studies do show that ginger improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, which are metabolic functions closely intertwined with the IGF-1 pathway.
In-Vitro Evidence for Pathway Modulation: Studies on nematodes (C. elegans) suggest ginger's longevity-promoting effects are mediated through the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, providing insight into its mechanisms.
Bioactive Compounds are Responsible: The effects are largely attributed to ginger's bioactive compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Indirect Effects Possible: Improved metabolic health and reduced inflammation from ginger consumption could indirectly benefit overall hormonal balance, but this does not equal a direct IGF-1 boost.

The potential health benefits of ginger have been a subject of extensive research for centuries. It has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive properties. While many studies have focused on its effects on conditions like diabetes and inflammation, some of the most intriguing findings relate to its influence on hormonal and metabolic pathways, including the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) axis.

Understanding IGF-1 and its Pathway

Insulin-like growth factor 1, or IGF-1, is a hormone structurally similar to insulin that plays a vital role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. Produced primarily by the liver, IGF-1 mediates many of the effects of human growth hormone (HGH). The IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is a fundamental regulator of metabolism and aging, and its modulation can have significant physiological consequences. A key component of this pathway is the intricate relationship with insulin. In general, improved insulin sensitivity can influence the broader metabolic environment, which is closely linked to IGF-1 regulation.

Animal Studies and IGF-1 Increases

Numerous animal studies provide evidence linking ginger supplementation with increased IGF-1 or IGF-1-related gene expression. These findings, while promising, are a cornerstone of the discussion around ginger's potential hormonal effects, but cannot be directly extrapolated to human outcomes.

Here are some examples of these studies:

Rams: A study published in 2024 investigated the effects of ginger powder on Ossimi rams. Researchers found that rams given ginger had significantly enhanced levels of both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) compared to a control group. The study concluded that ginger can improve growth parameters in these animals.
Turkeys: Research from 2024 revealed that supplementing turkey feed with ginger root powder significantly increased the mRNA levels of several growth-related genes, including IGF-1. This upregulation correlated with enhanced growth performance in the birds.
Nematodes: In-vitro studies using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans have explored the longevity-promoting properties of ginger extract. These studies discovered that ginger extract prolongs the lifespan of these nematodes by mediating the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway. Key bioactive compounds like gingerols and shogaols appear to be responsible for this modulation.

Bioactive Compounds and Potential Mechanisms

Ginger's effects are attributed to its active compounds, including gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. These phytochemicals possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may indirectly influence metabolic and hormonal pathways.

Possible mechanisms include:

Modulation of Insulin Signaling: Several studies have demonstrated that ginger can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. Since insulin signaling is tightly linked to the IGF-1 pathway, improvements in one can impact the other. For example, 6-gingerol has been shown to improve glucose utilization via the AMPK pathway, which can influence metabolic homeostasis.
Antioxidant Effects: By reducing oxidative stress, ginger may protect cellular function, including that of the liver, which is the primary producer of IGF-1.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation can disrupt hormonal balance. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties could contribute to a healthier metabolic environment that supports optimal IGF-1 signaling.

Human Studies and the Missing Link

While the animal and cellular research is compelling, direct evidence showing that ginger increases IGF-1 in humans is still lacking. Human trials on ginger primarily focus on its effects on inflammation, pain, and metabolic markers related to diabetes.

Glycemic Control: Numerous human trials confirm ginger's benefits for type 2 diabetes, showing significant reductions in fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. This demonstrates an improved metabolic profile, but not a direct IGF-1 increase.
Insulin Sensitivity: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have found that ginger supplementation significantly improves insulin sensitivity indices, such as HOMA-IR. This is a crucial finding but different from directly boosting IGF-1 levels.
Lack of Direct IGF-1 Measurement: Many human studies on ginger do not measure IGF-1 levels, focusing instead on more common endpoints like glucose, lipids, and inflammatory markers. Therefore, a direct conclusion for humans cannot be drawn from the current clinical trial data.

Comparing Research Findings on Ginger and IGF-1/IIS


Research Model	Key Finding	IGF-1/IIS Conclusion	Relevance to Humans	Limitations
Rams	Increased serum GH and IGF-1 levels.	Direct IGF-1 increase.	Suggestive, but not directly applicable.	Different physiology and dosage.
Turkeys	Upregulated IGF-1 gene expression.	Direct IGF-1 gene upregulation.	Suggestive, but not directly applicable.	Avian model, not a mammalian one.
*Nematodes (C. elegans)*	Mediates the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway for longevity.	Pathway modulation for anti-aging.	Provides mechanistic insight.	Highly different from human physiology.
Diabetic Rats	Improved glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity.	Modulates IGF-1 related pathways.	Suggests a metabolic link.	Not directly human data.
Human Trials	Improved glycemic control and insulin sensitivity.	Indirect metabolic improvement.	Strong evidence for metabolic health.	Lacks direct IGF-1 measurements.

Conclusion

While scientific literature, particularly in animal models like rams and turkeys, indicates that ginger supplementation can increase IGF-1 and modulate the related signaling pathways, there is no conclusive evidence from human clinical trials to support this specific effect. Human studies have primarily focused on ginger's ability to improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, which are related metabolic processes, but do not provide a direct answer to whether does ginger increase IGF-1 in people. The bioactive compounds in ginger, such as gingerols and shogaols, play a complex role in influencing metabolic health through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Therefore, while ginger offers documented benefits for metabolic health, including enhanced insulin sensitivity, any claims about its direct IGF-1-boosting effects in humans remain theoretical, requiring further, targeted research for confirmation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is currently no direct evidence from human clinical trials confirming that ginger increases IGF-1 levels in people. While promising results exist in animal studies, these cannot be applied directly to humans without further research.

Evidence comes from animal studies on organisms like rams, turkeys, and nematodes. These have shown that dietary ginger can lead to increased IGF-1 or modulate the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.

In humans, studies have primarily shown that ginger can improve metabolic hormones by increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, particularly in those with type 2 diabetes.

Research using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans suggests that ginger extract can promote longevity by modulating the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. However, this is not confirmed in humans.

The insulin and IGF-1 signaling pathways are closely related. Improved insulin sensitivity, often seen with ginger supplementation, can positively influence the broader metabolic and hormonal environment where IGF-1 plays a role.

Not necessarily. While IGF-1 is important for growth and repair, chronically high levels can have complex health implications. Natural, balanced hormonal support through overall diet is generally preferred over targeted increases via supplements.

Yes, ginger's bioactive compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, are believed to be responsible for many of its health effects. Studies suggest they modulate the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and act as potent antioxidants.