Update (28 November 2022):
Another video is being shared on social media, which is a commercial for a hair growth serum. According to the video, the serum contains ginger extract, which stimulates the hair follicles and encourages hair growth. Let’s fact-check this claim through this article.
Claim: ‘King of Ginger’- a hair serum containing ginger extract stimulates the hair follicles and encourages hair growth.
Fact: Although ginger is used in East Asian medicine to treat hair fall, There is no scientific evidence that ginger helps the growth of hair. On the contrary, a study suggested that it can suppress human hair growth. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Searching on the internet with relevant keywords to find the claim’s veracity led us to a scientific research article. This study was performed by researchers on the effect of 6-gingerol, the main component of ginger, on human hair growth. It was found that 6-gingerol does not promote hair growth, but on the contrary, it can suppress human hair growth.
Regarding the side effects of using ginger as a remedy for hair loss, Healthline states, ‘Despite the fact that ginger is a natural substance, it can present side effects in some people. It’s always a good idea to check with a doctor beforehand, especially if you take medications or have any pre-existing conditions.’ You can find their full article titled ‘Can Using Ginger on Your Hair or Scalp Improve Its Health?’ here.
To sum up, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that Ginger promotes hair growth.
Published (17 May 2022):
A social media post claiming that the use of ginger oil on belly button would reduce fat and helps in weight loss is being widely shared. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Applying ginger oil on belly button would burn fat ten times faster and eventually help in weight loss.
Fact: Experts have clarified that there is no scientific evidence to say that ginger oil would help in weight loss. There are reports and research papers which state ginger water helps in weight loss. Gingerol, a bioactive compound in ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help in weight loss. However, there are no reports or research studies to say applying ginger oil on naval would reduce belly fat or helps in weight loss. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
According to reports, gingerol, a bioactive compound in ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help in weight loss. ‘Ginger aids in colon cleansing, helping you to get rid of harmful toxins while promoting healthy digestion. By increasing digestive efficiency with diet, you can shed extra fat and boost metabolism, and thus make weight loss much easier and effective’ reported the article.
However, in order to avail the weight loss benefits of ginger, these reports suggest intake of ginger water rather than applying ginger oil as claimed in the post.
Further, preliminary research on rats revealed that ginger water would reduce body weight gain and improve energy expenditure. Ginger possesses various therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory impacts.
As far as applying ginger oil is concerned, experts have clarified that application of ginger oil on naval is unlikely to show any impact. Earlier speaking to experts, AFP debunked a similar claim saying there is no scientific evidence to prove ginger oil would help in weight loss.
‘Donna Ryan, a researcher on obesity and professor emerita at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, said there is “nothing in the scientific literature” to support the claim that it can eliminate cellulite, or subcutaneous fat that creates dimples under the skin’, reported AFP.
While there are reports of ginger water helping in weight loss, we could not find any reports regarding application of ginger oil on belly button helping weight loss.
To sum it up, there is no scientific evidence to state that applying ginger oil on belly button can help weight loss.
