Evidence mapPaperPMID 42199754Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2026

Effects of Zingiberaceae-derived interventions on memory-related and other cognitive outcomes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Desirée Victoria-Montesinos, Pilar Zafrilla, Pura Ballester, Ana María García-Muñoz

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Desirée Victoria-MontesinosFaculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad Católica De Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain.
Pilar ZafrillaFaculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad Católica De Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain.
Pura BallesterFaculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad Católica De Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain.
Ana María García-MuñozFaculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidad Católica De Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive impairment and age-related cognitive decline are major public health concerns, and nutraceutical strategies targeting modifiable biological pathways have attracted growing interest. Compounds derived from the Zingiberaceae family, including curcumin, turmeric, ginger, and related preparations, have been investigated for their potential neuroprotective effects, but their clinical impact on specific cognitive domains remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of Zingiberaceae-derived interventions on memory-related and other cognitive outcomes in adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to March 2026. Randomized controlled trials evaluating orally administered Zingiberaceae-derived interventions in adults and reporting validated cognitive outcomes were included. Cognitive outcomes were grouped into memory-related outcomes, executive function and processing speed, global cognition, and attention or inhibitory control, with memory-related outcomes prespecified as the primary outcome. Results: Eighteen randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, and domain-specific meta-analyses were performed when at least three studies were available. In the pooled analysis, Zingiberaceae-derived interventions showed a statistically significant improvement in memory-related outcomes (standardized mean difference = 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 1.02), whereas no significant pooled effects were observed for executive function and processing speed, global cognition, or attention or inhibitory control. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main findings. Discussion: Overall, Zingiberaceae-derived interventions may improve memory-related outcomes, but the evidence is very uncertain due to substantial heterogeneity, the small number of studies, risk of bias in some trials, and variability in populations, formulations, and outcome measures. These findings indicate that their cognitive effects may be domain-specific and context-dependent, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed trials using standardized cognitive endpoints and bioavailable formulations. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261325966, identifier CRD420261325966.

Indexed as

cognitioncognitive agingcurcumingingermeta-analysisZingiberaceae

Identifiers

PMID42199754
PMCPMC13198985

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.