Black Ginger, you’ve probably never heard of this superfood before, but you should keep an eye on this up and coming supplement. Yes, it is related to the ginger you spice up your Asian recipes with. It’s also related to turmeric, with its potent curcumin ingredient that’s being researched for longevity, pain relief, and aiding in chemo and radiation therapy.
What is Black Ginger?
The rhizome of a flowering plant, Black Ginger looks just like regular ginger, until you cut it. Inside, this spicy root is a deep purple, almost black. When dried, it does take on a darker charcoal color. This is where it gets its name.
Where Does it Come From?
Thailand is home to this herbaceous plant. It has traditionally been used as a food and medicine in Thailand for over a thousand years. In Thai medicine it has been used to treat a number of illnesses, including allergies (not surprising as ginger has antihistamine properties), gout, diabetes, fatigue, and dysentery. It has also been brewed into a wine that is used as an aphrodisiac, energy enhancer, male tonic to aid libido and reverse impotence. It’s early yet, so not all of these have been studied, but there are some benefits that have been looked at and several that can be inferred from studies into ginger and turmeric.
How Will Black Ginger Help Me?
Energy – Black ginger has been linked to improved energy and lower fatigue. An enzyme found in this superfood (AMPK) improves glucose metabolism.
Antioxidants – Like its relatives, ginger and turmeric, black ginger contains powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from free radical oxidative damage.
Weight Management – That improved metabolism can have beneficial effects elsewhere. Improved glucose burning can bolster weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. AMPK has been linked in animal studies to lower fat and improved muscle tone.
Endurance – Antioxidants and metabolic improvements combined can help increase endurance and stamina. AMPK has been shown to improve running endurance by 44%.
Recovery – Ginger is as powerful in studies as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The more natural anti-inflammatory effects can ease pain and inflammatory responses after exercise for a faster recovery while antioxidant protect muscle cells.
Vascular Health – Black ginger increases vascular relaxation. That means improved blood flow and heart protective properties.
Chronic Pain – These anti-inflammatory effects may also be useful with chronic pain.
Libido – This may not have been studied yet, but the more documented improvements to inflammation, energy, blood flow, and endurance may be behind the Thai folk medicine. Combined, these are nothing to sneeze at in the bedroom.
Nausea – Ginger is known to have beneficial effects on nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness.
There are also hints that this superfood can aid in some cancer treatments, with longevity, and in protecting the brain. Now try Black Ginger combined with Matcha for the added benefits of extra energy, focus, and concentration for in the gym, in the bedroom, and everywhere in-between!