THE FACTS

Ginger’s ability to calm an upset stomach is well known. But more recently, scientists have wondered whether its soothing effects might extend to sore muscles.

Ginger, a member of the same plant family as turmeric, contains anti-inflammatory compounds and volatile oils  gingerols  that show analgesic and sedative effects in animal studies. So last year a team of researchers looked at whether ginger might do the same in humans.

Image Credit... Christoph Niemann

In the study, published in The Journal of Pain in September, the scientists recruited 74 adults and had them do exercises meant to induce muscle pain and inflammation. Over 11 days, the subjects ate either two grams of ginger a day or a placebo. Ultimately, the ginger groups experienced roughly 25 percent reductions in exercise-induced muscle pain 24 hours after a workout.