"We know that ginger has anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, but its effects on muscle pain in humans are largely unknown," said Patrick O'Connor, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education at the University of Georgia. Heat-treated ginger, such as in Using ginger when cooking can effectively relieve muscle pain.
Professor O'Connor conducted two ginger trials examining the effects of 11 days of consumption of raw ginger and heat-treated ginger on muscle pain. The two studies involved 34 and 40 volunteers respectively. After straining their arm muscles by lifting weights 18 times, they consumed capsules containing two grams of ginger or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 days. On the 8th day, the arm function, inflammation and pain of the volunteers who consumed ginger capsules were significantly improved compared to the previous 3 days.
Research shows that eating ginger every day can reduce muscle pain caused by exercise by 25%, and ginger has the same muscle pain relief effect as heat-treated ginger.
"The personal financial cost of treating muscle pain is extremely high," Professor O'Connor said. "Muscle pain is often the most common type of pain, and anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed."