What is Kaempferia Parviflora?

Kaempferia parviflora, also known as black ginger originates from Thailand and has been used in traditional Asian medicine for its anti-fatigue, longevity, antioxidant and libido effects. It is found in tropical areas such a Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand.

The main 2 constituents within black ginger are: 5,7-dimethoxyflavone and 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone which provide the major effect of enhancing blood flow which contributes to its beneficial effects on physical performance but also libido boosting properties.

What is the difference to normal ginger?

From a visual stand point black ginger is darker in colour to normal ginger. From the outside they look the same but inside black ginger is a dark purple, almost black colour.

While regular ginger possesses many incredible benefits, black ginger contains more antioxidants and a great number of bioactive compounds of which can provide performance and vitality benefits.

What are the benefits?

  • Increases physical endurance
  • Improves strength
  • Improves energy levels
  • Supports fat loss

Increases physical endurance

It has been shown that black ginger extract can help decrease oxidative stress and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

By providing anti oxidative benefits it can enhance the bodies capabilities to neutralise oxidative stress, which can help ATP production, leading to a higher VO2 max. Significant improvements were seen 6 and 12 weeks after consumption, with 180mg serving providing the most [1].

The modulatory effects on heart rate variability where stress resistance was increased and a decrease was seen in the stress index suggest black ginger provides anti-stress effects which can correlate to benefits in terms of physical endurance and being able to train for longer at the same intensity [2].

Nitric oxide production within human umbilical vein endothelial cells is promoted which essentially means with increased blood flow nutrients and oxygen can be supplied to the working muscles enhancing endurance performance [8].

Improves Strength

Blood flow to the muscles could be enhanced following black ginger extract consumption. With increased blood flow to the muscles and a greater oxygen supply this can enhance ATP production capacity which can have beneficial effects to muscle strength.

A study has revealed for a 30 second chair stand test and a 6 minute walk test significant improvements were made which reflects enhances in strength and improved oxidative stress status [3].

Another study showed results of whereby grip strength was significantly enhanced, the anti-inflammatory effects combined with the nitric oxide boosting properties of black ginger could suggest why strength is improved [4].

Improves Energy Levels

The main active ingredient in our black ginger extract 5,7-dimethoxyflavone is associated with activating AMPK. AMPK plays a crucial role in the regulation of energy homeostasis and is known to improve endurance and energy [9].

Additionally, it has been seen to activate the production of ATP and mitochondrial biogenesis. Essentially, mitochondria can convert the energy we need more efficiently into ATP which results in more energy being available to the muscles. Muscle metabolism may be improved along with locomotive function [7].

Supports Fat Loss

Following supplementation of black ginger extract it can potentially increase the whole body energy expenditure through the activation of brown adipose tissue [5]. Brown adipose tissue is the type that keeps you warm when you get shiver, it is also important in terms of vitality and maintaining a healthy weight as it contains a high concentration of mitochondria which is high in energy expenditure [6].

The uptake of 2-deoxyglucose and lactic acid along with enhancing the production of ATP and mitochondrial biogenesis results in the energy metabolism within muscle cells being improved [7].

References

[1]https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/18/3411

[2]https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19390211.2020.1852356

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415259/

[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4538785/

[5]https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnsv/61/1/61_79/_article/-char/ja/

[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3661118/#:~:text=Given%20its%20huge%20capacity%20for,type%202%20diabetes%20and%20other

[7]https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11418-015-0948-y

[8]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874106005149

[9]https://qurays.kz/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Enhancement-of-physical-fitness-by-black-ginger-extract.pdf