Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 27, 2025 3 hours, 14 minutes ago
Thailand Medical: Ancient Spice Put to Modern Test
For centuries, ginger has been used in traditional medicine to treat pain, nausea, and inflammation. Now, modern science is catching up. Researchers from Texas A&M University’s Exercise & Sport Nutrition Laboratory and Increnovo LLC have tested a concentrated ginger extract to see if it could really help people struggling with mild to moderate joint and muscle pain. This
Thailand Medical News report looks into their detailed findings.
Ginger Supplements Show Promise for Easing Joint Pain and Inflammation
How the Study Was Conducted
The clinical trial involved 30 men and women between the ages of 40 and 75 who suffered from persistent joint and muscle pain. Over a period of eight weeks, half the group received a placebo while the other half took a daily ginger supplement containing 125 mg of extract standardized to 10% gingerols, the active compounds linked to anti-inflammatory effects. Participants were carefully monitored for pain levels, stiffness, flexibility, inflammation markers in the blood, and overall functional ability.
Key Findings on Pain Relief
The results showed that those who took ginger reported noticeable improvements in pain and stiffness, especially after performing physical exercises designed to strain the joints. Many participants experienced reduced discomfort when sitting, climbing stairs, or even sleeping at night. Questionnaires used to measure osteoarthritis symptoms, such as the WOMAC and Lequesne indices, also showed significant improvements among the ginger group compared to placebo.
Impact on Inflammation
Blood tests revealed that ginger had a measurable effect on several inflammatory markers. The supplement helped lower levels of key inflammation-driving proteins such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-5, and C-reactive protein. At the same time, it appeared to balance the immune response by influencing white blood cells like eosinophils and lymphocytes. This suggests ginger not only calms inflammation but may also help the body better regulate its immune defenses.
Effects on Daily Function and Analgesic Use
Beyond inflammation, ginger also seemed to make everyday activities easier. Participants reported greater ease in movement and less nighttime discomfort. Interestingly, fewer people in the ginger group relied on over-the-counter painkillers compared to those on placebo. While the difference was not statistically large, it suggests ginger could reduce dependence on common pain medications, which often come with side effects.
Safety and Side Effects
Ginger was generally well tolerated, though a few participants mentioned mild issues like headaches or heart palpitations. These effects were rare and not severe. Importantly, blood tests on kidney, liver, and heart health showed no harmful changes, reinforcing the safety of ginger supplementation over the eight-week period.
Conclusio
n
The study strongly suggests that taking a daily ginger extract with 12.5 mg of gingerols can reduce pain, improve mobility, and lower inflammation in people with mild to moderate joint pain. While more long-term research is still needed, these findings highlight ginger as a promising natural alternative to traditional painkillers. For people living with ongoing joint stiffness and soreness, ginger could offer a safer and effective way to manage daily discomfort. Given its accessibility and history of use, the spice may soon move from kitchen shelves to doctor recommendations.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/14/2365
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Thailand Medical News.
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