Ginger root reduces pain after intensive exercise

Research has found that consumption of ginger root may temporarily relieve muscle soreness and pain caused by distance running. The study author from the Old Dominion University in the U.S. aimed to determine whether ginger root supplementation reduces muscle soreness and dysfunction from downhill running in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

• Earlier studies reported that ginger root has pain-relieving properties, but these effects have not been thoroughly assessed in the context of muscle pain after distance running.
• For the study, the researcher recruited 32 runners and gave them either 1.425 g of ginger root or placebo each day for five days.
• The participants completed a 40-minute downhill run on the third day.
• The researcher measured the participants’ muscle soreness, pain-pressure threshold, vertical jump, and 1.5-mile run performance before the treatment and at certain points throughout the five-day study period.
• The researcher then compared the differences between ginger supplementation and placebo.
• The results showed that those who took ginger supplements experienced lesser muscle soreness while running compared to those who took the placebo.
• Ginger root supplementation also had a possible small benefit on vertical jump performance before supplementation until the last day of treatment.
• It did not cause any significant effect on 1.5-mile run performance.
• The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.

Based on these findings, the study author concluded that runners may consume ginger root to reduce muscle pain and soreness.

To read more studies on natural pain relievers, visit Herbs.news.

Journal Reference:

Wilson P. A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF GINGER ROOT FOR REDUCING MUSCLE SORENESS AND IMPROVING PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE RECOVERY AMONG EXPERIENCED RECREATIONAL DISTANCE RUNNERS. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 09 October 2018: 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2018.1492484