One of ginger’s most studied and recognised health benefits is its ability to reduce inflammation. The phytochemicals in ginger, gingerols and shogaols inhibit the synthesis of molecules that promote inflammation, making ginger effective in the management of specific inflammatory diseases.
Studies have shown that ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that work much like the more common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often referred to as NSAIDs. Ginger helps to reduce inflammation by actually blocking the very genes needed to create inflammation in the first place.
There is growing evidence that ginger has anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy in humans with osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea and other acute pains.
A study examined the effects of 11 days of ginger supplementation on muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. Daily consumption of ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury, demonstrating ginger's effectiveness as a pain reliever.
Reference:
Black, C., D., et al. (2010). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. The Journal of Pain, vol. 11, iss. 9, 894–903.
