For centuries, ginger root has been used as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments such as colds and upset stomachs. But now, researchers at the University of Georgia have found that daily ginger consumption also reduces muscle pain caused by exercise. Muscle pain generally is one of the most common types of pain and eccentric exercise-induced muscle pain specifically is a common type of injury related to sports and/or recreational activities.
While ginger had been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, its effect on experimentally-induced human muscle pain was largely unexplored. It was also believed that heating ginger, as occurs with cooking, might increase its pain-relieving effects. Two studies are directed to examine the effects of 11 days of raw and heat-treated ginger supplementation on muscle pain. The researchers recruited 74 volunteers, 34 and 40 respectively, randomly assigned them to consume capsules containing two grams of either raw or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 consecutive days. On the eighth day they performed 18 extensions of the elbow flexors with a heavy weight to induce moderate muscle injury to the arm. Arm function, inflammation, pain and a biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after exercise.
Results showed that supplementation with both raw and heat-treated ginger attenuated muscle pain intensity 24 hours after eccentric exercise. Exercise-induced pain was reduced by 25 percent after daily supplements of raw ginger, and by 23 percent after supplementation with the heat-treated form. The study suggests that ginger may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties similar to that of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s).
Reference: Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, O'Connor PJ. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise. J Pain. 2010 Apr 23; DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.12.013
Dr. David P. Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD
Laurel Regional Chiropractic
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