Written and scientifically reviewed by: Alexandra Sotari, MS Nutrition Science
Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), a root native to tropical Asia, especially Thailand, has been a staple in traditional Thai medicine for centuries. Its traditional uses are broad, and among them is performance enhancement—it's even thought to be used by Thai boxers for power and endurance.
Today, its performance-enhancing benefits are being corroborated by researchers who are finding that black ginger may indeed have far-reaching benefits for athletes and gym-goers alike, including promoting physical performance, cardiovascular health, weight management, and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
Here, we’ll explore the benefits of black ginger, including how it can benefit your exercise routine.
When you’re ready to try the benefits, Rasāsvādas Black Ginger restorative spirit features black ginger and other beneficial plant compounds. It’s made with 100% plants and 0% additives.
Botanical Overview
Botanical name: Kaempferia parviflora
Family: Zingiberaceae
Common name: Black Ginger, Krachai Dum, Black Turmeric, Black Galingale, Black Galangal,Krachaidam, Krachaidam Hoi, Thai Ginseng
Location: Thailand
Black Ginger vs Ginger
Black ginger and ginger sound like they could be easily swapped out for one another, but the two plants differ in taste, beneficial compounds, and in their medicinal uses. In fact, black ginger is actually more closely related to turmeric than to the ginger you might find at the grocery store.
Unlike common ginger, black ginger, which has a more potent and bitter flavor, is typically used in health products like supplements and skincare products, rather than for cooking.
The inside of the black ginger root is dark purple, indicating the presence of beneficial antioxidants like anthocyanins, the same type of antioxidants found in blueberries and raspberries. These anthocyanins, along with other organic compounds, are responsible for black ginger's health benefits.
Common ginger has health benefits too, but it contains a different mix of antioxidants and bioactive molecules. Ginger is often used for digestive issues and inflammation, whereas black ginger may support exercise performance and cardiovascular health, while also acting as an anti-inflammatory.
The History of Black Ginger
The use of black ginger for its medicinal qualities dates back over 1000 years. In traditional Thai medicine, black ginger has been used for a range of ailments, including allergies, asthma, impotence, gout, digestive issues, and diabetes. It’s also thought to be popular among Thai boxers for enhancing power and endurance.
Today, black ginger is gaining popularity with all types of athletes and casual exercisers due to its performance, cardiovascular, and weight management benefits.
The Benefits of Black Ginger for Athletes
Enhanced physical performance
Black ginger may be a natural performance enhancer (think: muscle strength and muscular endurance), according to scientists.
It is thought to support performance in a few different ways, mainly by helping your muscles tap into energy stores more efficiently during exercise. This is thanks to a group of beneficial compounds found in black ginger called polymethoxyflavones.
Antioxidants in black ginger, called anthocyanins, are also responsible for its endurance-enhancing benefits. Researchers speculate that the anthocyanins in black ginger can help ease the energy-draining effects of lactic acid and oxidative stress in muscles.
Black ginger may also contribute to mitochondrial health, which is key to energy production.
Muscle Recovery and Anti-Inflammatory Support
Black ginger is rich in various types of antioxidants, which means it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. For athletes, this means it may help ease muscle soreness and support recovery.
Beyond athletic performance, the antioxidants in black ginger have also been shown to support skin health and anti-aging by promoting tropocollagen, a compound that your body needs to produce collagen.
Supports a Healthy Weight
A healthy diet and regular exercise are key to weight management, but black ginger may help too. Scientists found that in mice fed a high-fat diet, black ginger promoted the breakdown of fats for energy, preventing weight gain and reducing blood levels of triglycerides (unhealthy fats). These results are promising, but further studies need to be done in humans to confirm the effectiveness of black ginger for weight loss and weight maintenance.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health and Circulation
Genetics, stress, and environment can all play a role in heart health, which is why, even if you exercise regularly, it's important to take care of your heart in other ways. Black ginger is rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins that help balance levels of free radicals, naturally occurring molecules that are harmful to cells and can contribute to certain diseases, like heart disease. But antioxidant power is not the only way black ginger promotes heart health. Researchers have also found that black ginger helps promote blood flow and circulation by increasing the size of blood vessels.
Why Athletes Are Turning to Herbal Alternatives
As the side effects of synthetic performance enhancers like steroids become more well-known, more athletes are turning to research-backed herbal or natural supplements like caffeine, creatine, and now, black ginger.
The extensive research backing the effectiveness of black ginger is also testament to the power of plant-based nutrition. Plants are rich in antioxidants and other organic compounds that can help support the health of the whole body.
Rasāsvādas Black Ginger spirit restorative is made with 100% plants, carefully cooked down to preserve these beneficial compounds.
Should I Add Black Ginger to My Workout Routine?
There is a lot of promising research, including a mix of human and animal studies, suggesting that black ginger may benefit your workout. It also has a low risk of side effects, and if side effects do occur, they are typically minimal and include digestive discomfort. That said, if you do decide to take a supplement, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider and always purchase from a reputable brand.
Rasāsvāda’s black ginger spirit restorative is a safe and delicious way to harness the benefits of black ginger. It’s made with whole plants, no extracts or additives, and is the only beverage in the U.S. that incorporates black ginger. Drink it before a workout: by itself, or mix it into your smoothie or another beverage of your choice.
Rasāsvāda’s Black Ginger Spirit
Rasāsvāda’s black ginger spirit contains over 13 beneficial plant compounds, including black ginger, burdock root, cardamom, meshima, and reishi mushrooms to support performance, recovery, circulation, and balance.
- 100% Plants
- 0% Preservatives
- Only 1 gram of fruit sugar
- 0% Alcohol
Key Takeaways
Black ginger has been used for over one thousand years in ancient Thai medicine, and today it is becoming popular among athletes for its performance-enhancing benefits. Researchers think that black ginger may promote endurance, muscle strength, muscle soreness, and cardiovascular health.
FAQs
Sources
Journal of Food Chemistry | Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora): A source of functional ingredient for food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications
Indian Council of Agriculture Research | Black ginger: Importance, cultivation and prospects for Mizoram
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