Two studies done at Georgia College and State University in 2010 looked at how ginger affected muscle pain and inflammation after exercise. One experiment had subjects supplement with two grams of ginger for several days and perform curls in the gym. The next day, their soreness was significantly less than expected. The other study also examined the effects of two grams of ginger on arm training. Participants consumed ginger 24 hours and 48 hours after exercise, and the pain was reduced 13 percent by the second day.
What does this mean for you? Add ginger to your diet, and you may be able to train again sooner.
Tea
Grate some fresh ginger root into water and bring to a boil. Stir in honey and lemon juice. This cocktail also helps fight colds.
Supplements
Ginger can be taken in capsule form and promises better digestion. $7.99 for 100 capsules (550mg each) at GNC.com.
Stir-Fry
Chop up ginger and garlic and add to peanut oil on high heat. Throw in a variety of vegetables and meats for a classic Asian dish.If your only experience with ginger has been leaving it on your plate after finishing your sushi, you may be missing out on what could be one of nature’s strongest anti-inflammatories.