Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 07, 2026 22 hours, 2 minutes ago
Medical News: A Kitchen Spice Shows Its Power
A team of Japanese scientists has uncovered promising evidence that a supplement built around red ginger may boost blood flow to the eyes of people living with glaucoma. This surprising finding points to the possibility that everyday nutrients could help defend vision alongside regular medication.
Red ginger nutrients boosted optic nerve blood flow in glaucoma patients
Where The Research Teams Are From
Researchers involved in the study were based at:
-Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
-Keio University School of Medicine
-National Cancer Center Japan
-United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART)
All clinical work took place at Tohoku University Hospital.
Why Improving Blood Flow Matters
Glaucoma slowly injures the optic nerve, the “cable” sending images from the eye to the brain. Although lowering eye pressure remains the main treatment, many patients continue to lose sight because the tissue receives too little nourishing blood. This makes blood circulation a key area of growing interest for specialists.
A Peek Inside the Supplement
The capsule used by patients combined three active components commonly found in food:
-Red ginger extract
-Lutein
-Vitamin B6
Red ginger, known for its warming flavor, contains phytochemicals such as 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol that support blood vessel relaxation and reduce inflammation. Lutein protects light-sensitive eye tissue from damage, and vitamin B6 helps maintain healthy chemical balance in the bloodstream.
How The Study Worked
Nineteen adults already diagnosed with open angle glaucoma volunteered. Using a specialized scanning test that tracks blood flow in real time, doctors measured circulation at the optic nerve before the supplement, one hour after swallowing a single capsule, and again after a full month of daily use. Everyone stayed on their regular glaucoma drops to ensure changes seen were related to the added nutrients.
The Results in Simple Terms
Even one dose made a difference. On average:
-After one hour, blood flow rose by roughly 7 percent
-After one month, it was up by about 15 percent
Imaging maps showed warmer coloring in the optic nerve region, a visual sign that more blood was moving into the tissue. Many participants displayed clear improvement, particularly after continuous use.
Not All Eyes Responded the Same
One stand-out finding was that eyes with shorter length—a typical feature in people who are not severely nearsighted—responded best. In contrast, very myopic eyes changed little. Researchers believe stretching of the eye in high myopia may alter blood vessels in ways that limit their ability to react.
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What It Means for Patients
While the study was small and lacked a placebo comparison, the evidence suggests nutritional compounds may aid eye circulation and could eventually become a useful add-on treatment. The supplement is not a replacement for medical therapy, but it might offer an inexpensive assist, especially for those whose vision continues to decline despite controlled eye pressure.
Conclusion
Taken together, these early findings show that a red ginger-based supplement appears capable of gently yet meaningfully improving blood flow to the optic nerve in glaucoma. This introduces an exciting possibility that safe, food-derived ingredients could complement prescribed drops and provide the eye with better fuel and protection. More rigorous trials, with larger groups and longer follow-up, are needed to confirm whether these improvements translate into lasting vision benefits. Still, the work opens a hopeful door for patients eager to slow the march of glaucoma using every safe tool available.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/1/140
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/glaucoma-news
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/glaucoma-news
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