Clinical trials on 74 people in the U.S. show that ginger is a very good anti-inflammatory.
Over an 11-day period, each participant received a capsule of either raw or heat-treated ginger while some received a placebo.
Participants were then asked to perform extensions of the elbow flexor under the supervision of doctors. They used heavy weights to induce pain.
Researchers noted that participants who took the two types of ginger supplement had 25% less muscle pain than those who had taken the placebo. The results were superior to anti-inflammatories sold on the market today like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Lead researcher Professor Patrick O’Connor, of the University of Georgia, said, "Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it."
Study authors concluded: "Daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury."