Benefits of Black Ginger

Black ginger extract has been used for over a thousand years and modern science has shown this interesting ingredient to be beneficial for many conditions. Read on to learn more about what black ginger is, how it is used in cooking, and how it can be used as a supplement.

Table of Contents

1. What is Black Ginger?

2. Black Ginger Extract Uses 

3. Health Benefits of Black Ginger

What is Black Ginger?

Thai black ginger, Thai ginseng, black turmeric, Krachai dum - this ingredient goes by several names and maybe new to you. Traditionally, ginger is a popular food ingredient and a supplement known for its ability to aid in digestive health.

Black Ginger 

Black ginger has a powerful nutritional profile and health benefits.

The botanical name for black ginger is Kaempferia parviflora, which is native to Thailand and belongs to the ginger family or ginger family.

Black Ginger Extract Uses

Black ginger vs regular ginger

Compared to traditional ginger, black ginger is darker in color. Both types of ginger look the same on the outside, but black ginger is dark purple on the inside. Black ginger extract is available in powder form, liquid form, and encapsulated form. The powdered form is marketed as a food ingredient.

From curry dishes to overnight oats to sweetbreads, black ginger extract powder enlivens the flavor of many dishes. If the pungent taste of ginger doesn't appeal to you, you can make it available in capsule or supplement form.

  Black Ginger Extract Powder

Black Ginger Supplements

Black ginger extract is more readily available as a dietary supplement than as a food ingredient. Supplement preparations include pills made from powdered black ginger extract and honey, liquor with honey, blends with other herbs, and capsule and tablet forms.

Health Benefits of Black Ginger

Black ginger is rich in amino acids, selenium, and antioxidants such as tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.  Here are five evidence-based health benefits of black ginger extract

Improve physical performance

Increases energy expenditure

Anti-cancer

Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory

Improve physical performance

If you're an athlete or fitness fanatic, black ginger extract may be particularly useful for improving your training ability.

In a 2016 study on black ginger, Kaempferia extract (KPE) was given orally to 15 male mice for one month. These mice showed increases in physical performance, muscular endurance, and grip strength. The study explains that KPE contains poly methoxy flavonoids (PMF), which activate an important contributor to cellular metabolism called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Some claim that AMPK enhances fat metabolism, muscle endurance, and physical function.

 Black Ginger Extract     

In addition, in a 12-week randomized controlled study of young athletes, daily administration of KPE capsules resulted in significant improvements in right-hand grip strength compared to a placebo control group.

Increased energy expenditure

Imagine burning more calories after taking a dose of KPE. That's what happened in a 2015 study that concluded that KPE increased the activation of brown adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue plays a critical role in energy expenditure.

These results are similar to the results of a 2014 study on the effects of KPE on brown adipose tissue in mice. Studies like this one show the potential impact of black ginger on preventing weight gain.

Anti-cancer

Black ginger extract may be a natural way to fight cancer, although more research is needed. A 2018 study, treating ovarian cancer cells with KPE found that cell proliferation and cell migration were positively inhibited. kpe-induced cell death. In a 2017 study, KPE was also found to significantly inhibit cell migration in cervical cancer cells.

Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory

Acne vulgaris affects many people around the world today. Bacteria are the culprits behind acne, including strains of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. In one study, different concentrations of KPE were tested on these pro-inflammatory bacteria. higher concentrations of KPE were associated with reduced viability of both bacterial strains.  This was associated with a reduction in the bacteria and the inflammation they cause.