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The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine the efficacy of ginger supplementation on blood pressure (BP). PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were comprehensively searched until September 2018. Human clinical trials, which reported the effect of ginger supplementation on aortic and/or brachial BP, were included. Mean differences were pooled using a random effects model. Standard methods were used for assessment of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias. Total of six randomized clinical trials (345 participants) were included in the meta‐analysis. Pooled analysis suggested that ginger supplementation can reduced systolic BP (MD: −6.36 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [−11.27, −1.46]; I2 = 89.8%; P = .011) and diastolic BP (MD: −2.12 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [−3.92, −0.31]; I2 = 73.4%; P = .002). When studies were categorized based on participants' mean age, ginger dosage and duration of intervention, systolic BP and diastolic BP were significantly decreased only in the subset of studies with mean age ≤ 50 years, follow‐up duration of ≤8 weeks and ginger doses ≥3 g/d. Our findings revealed that ginger supplementation has favorable effects on BP. Nonetheless, further studies are warranted before definitive conclusions may be reached.

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Abstract. Aim: To determine the association between food insecurity and Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) in high school girls. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 students aged 14–18 years in northern Iran. Dietary assessment was performed using a validated and reliable 147-food item questionnaire. DII was calculated on the basis of 30 available food parameters from this FFQ based on the standard means. The USDA 18-item standard food security questionnaire was used to assess the food security status. Linear regression was performed to determine the association between DII and food insecurity, with DII considered as an outcome and food security score as an exposure. Results: The average age of students was 16.13 ± 0.97 year. Mean BMI and menarche age was 22.64 ± 4.62 kg/m2 and 12.59 ± 1.09 year. The mean value of DII was −0.003 ± 1.72. Food insecurity prevalence was 40.8%. Protein, and vitamin D and B12 intake were lower in the food insecure group (P < 0.05). Energy intake, total fat and saturated fatty acid (SFA) were higher in the highest tertile vs. the lowest tertile of DII (P < 0.05). Carbohydrate, protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc, folate, selenium, vitamin A, B6, and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and tea intake were lower in the highest tertile vs. the lowest tertile of DII (P < 0.05). There was a positive significant association between DII and food security status. Conclusion: It seems there is an association between DII and food security status. However, further well-designed studies in a different population are suggested.