Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and has been used as a spice and remedy in India and China since ancient times. The plant is indigenous to India and is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Australia.
Ginger is concentrated in the rhizome of the ginger plant and is a complex substance with over 400 different compounds. Most investigators suggest that ginger’s health benefits are a result of two classes of active ingredients: terpenes and polyphenols.
Terpenes are compounds that possess a strong odor and are often major components of essential oils. Polyphenols are potent antioxidants found in many healthy foods, like berries and red onions. Research suggests that gingerols and shogaols are ginger’s crucial polyphenols. The distinct odor and taste of ginger are due to the complex mixture of its terpenes and phenolic compounds.
Potential Benefits of Ginger for Musculoskeletal Health
1. Ginger is an Antioxidant
Free radicals damage bone, cartilage, muscle, and tendons, accelerating degenerative disease. The health-promoting components of ginger disarm destructive oxygen free radicals, like peroxide, and potentially protect joints, bones, tendons, and muscles against chronic oxidative stress. Ginger also reduces lipid peroxidation, a devastating chain reaction that targets the fat in the cell walls and often leads to cell death.
Indian researchers examined the effects of ginger oil on a mouse model of oxidative stress. The researchers found that ginger oil significantly increased the body’s natural enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione reductase enzymes) to combat oxidative stress and reduced markers of oxidation (Jeena et al., 2013).
2. Ginger is Anti-Inflammatory
Rampant inflammation releases tissue-eating enzymes and toxins that destroy muscle, bone, tendon, and joint tissue. Ginger potentially reduces the injurious effects of inflammation:
- Ginger constrains Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta, a key protein that regulates the production of inflammation-promoting factors.
- Ginger inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, a cardinal signaling molecule that directs the inflammation pathway.
- Ginger diminishes the synthesis of local signaling molecules and enzymes that boost inflammation and carry out its destructive effects.
Iranian researchers examined the effects of ginger extract on delayed-onset muscle soreness after intense exercise. The researchers found that ginger extract significantly reduced pain and IL-6 levels, both indices of inflammation (Hoseinzadeh et al., 2015).
3. Ginger Demonstrates Anti-fat Properties
Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic joint disease. Animal studies have demonstrated that ginger reduces weight gain of test subjects and restricts inflammation within fat cells, helping to prevent excessive weight gain in the non-treatment group. The exact mechanism of ginger’s anti-fat properties is not well understood, but investigators believe that ginger inhibits the absorption of dietary fats by preventing their breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract.
Egyptian researchers examined the effects of ginger extract on a rat model of obesity. The researchers found that ginger extract significantly reduced body weight and increased HDL levels (good cholesterol) (Mahmoud et al., 2013).
Precautions
Ginger is generally recognized as safe when consumed in usual culinary and herbal doses. As with any form of supplementation, consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or have any medical conditions. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
References
- Ali, B. H., Blunden, G., Tanira, M. O., & Nemmar, A. (2008). Some phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): A review of recent research. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, 409–420.
- Aktan, F., Henness, S., Tran, V. H., Duke, C. C., Roufogalis, B. D., & Ammit, A. J. (2006). Gingerol metabolite and a synthetic analogue Capsarol inhibit macrophage NF-kappaB-mediated iNOS gene expression and enzyme activity. Planta Medica, 72, 727–734.
- Bellik, Y. (2014). Total antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potency of the essential oil and oleoresin of Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 4, 40–44.
- Daily, J. W., Zhang, X., & Park, S. (2015). Efficacy of ginger for alleviating the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Pain Medicine, 16, 2243–2255.
- Habib, S. H., Makpol, S., Abdul Hamid, N. A., Das, S., Ngah, W. Z., & Yusof, Y. A. (2008). Ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects on ethionine-induced hepatoma rats. Clinics, 63, 807–813.
- Hoseinzadeh, K., et al. (2015). Acute effects of ginger extract on biochemical and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 29, 261.
- Jeena, K., et al. (2013). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities of essential oil from ginger. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 57(1), 51–62.
- Kadnur, S. V., & Goyal, R. K. (2005). Beneficial effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe on fructose-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in rats. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 43, 1161–1164.
- Kiuchi, F., Iwakami, S., Shibuya, M., Hanaoka, F., & Sankawa, U. (1992). Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis by gingerols and diarylheptanoids. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin (Tokyo), 40, 387–391.
- Kim, S. O., Chun, K. S., Kundu, J. K., & Surh, Y. J. (2004). Inhibitory effects of [6]-gingerol on PMA-induced COX-2 expression and activation of NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK in mouse skin. Biofactors, 21, 27–31.
- Krishnakantha, T. P., & Lokesh, B. R. (1993). Scavenging of superoxide anions by spice principles. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 30, 133–134.
- Langner, E., Greifenberg, S., & Gruenwald, J. (1998). Ginger: History and use. Advances in Therapy, 15, 25–44.
- Mahmoud, R. H., et al. (2013). Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of ginger and orlistat on obesity management, pancreatic lipase, and liver peroxisomal catalase enzyme in male albino rats. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 17(1), 75–83.
- Reddy, A. A., & Lokesh, B. R. (1992). Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 111, 117–124.
- Rong, X., Peng, G., Suzuki, T., Yang, Q., Yamahara, J., & Li, Y. (2009). A 35-day gavage safety assessment of ginger in rats. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 54, 118–123.
- Sekiya, K., Ohtani, A., & Kusano, S. (2004). Enhancement of insulin sensitivity in adipocytes by ginger. Biofactors, 22, 153–156.
- Takada, Y., Murakami, A., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2005). Zerumbone abolishes NF-kappaB and IkappaBalpha kinase activation leading to suppression of antiapoptotic and metastatic gene expression, upregulation of apoptosis, and downregulation of invasion. Oncogene, 24, 6957–6969.
- Tripathi, S., Bruch, D., & Kittur, D. S. (2008). Ginger extract inhibits LPS-induced macrophage activation and function. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 8, 1–7.
- Weidner, M. S., & Sigwart, K. (2001). Investigation of the teratogenic potential of a Zingiber officinale extract in the rat. Reproductive Toxicology, 15, 75–80.
- Woo, H. M., Kang, J. H., Kawada, T., Yoo, H., Sung, M. K., & Yu, R. (2007). Active spice-derived components can inhibit inflammatory responses of adipose tissue in obesity by suppressing inflammatory actions of macrophages and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from adipocytes. Life Sciences, 80, 926–931.
