Black Ginger Side Effects: Is Black Ginger Extract Safe?

Whether you’re on a quest for supplements to support your active, hectic lifestyle, or if you’re seeking to improve your energy levels, sexual health, or fitness performance, you will have come across black ginger. This South-East Asian root works wonders for a number of conditions and goals, and it can certainly improve many aspects of your life. But, as with any supplement, you may also be wondering: is black ginger extract safe?

Black ginger extract is a safe, plant-based supplement with many benefits for health and wellbeing. As a good source of polyphenols, it’s a great source of anti-inflammatory compounds, it can boost brain function, protect against heart disease, improve blood circulation and benefit the sexual wellness of men.

Read on to find out why black ginger is generally safe, what its positive impacts can be on your body, and any side effects that you could encounter. 

Is Black Ginger Safe?

To understand whether black ginger is a safe supplement to take, let’s first look at where the extract comes from. The original plant, Kaempferia parviflora, is a rhizome closely related to the regular ginger you’re familiar with as a cooking ingredient. Both plants look almost identical from the outside. Black ginger, however, is very dark when cut through - hence its popular name.

There are multiple differences between regular ginger and black ginger, beyond the color. Black ginger has a peppery flavor and has been used for centuries in Thailand and Malaysia to aid various conditions, from erectile dysfunction to immune system problems. Whereas regular ginger is best known for its benefits to gastrointestinal health, black ginger’s antioxidant content makes it beneficial in multiple other areas, from blood circulation to energy and recovery from fatigue.

On the topic of safety, there is evidence of black ginger being in use in herbal medicine for centuries. The plant is either worked into a powder, which can then be made into tea or added to smoothies, or it is distilled into black ginger extract. The latter is a more concentrated form, which allows you to feel its benefits quicker (through taking capsules). Black ginger rhizomes are also brewed into wine in Thailand. As you can see, this is an ingredient used widely and without particular health concerns raised against it. 

The Positive Effects of Black Ginger Extract

Why should you take black ginger extract? There are multiple benefits to be had from this plant, thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants and selenium. A number of clinical studies have tested the effect of black ginger on different functions of our body, finding encouraging results.

Here are some benefits you can expect from taking black ginger extract:

Improved blood circulation. Taking black ginger extract has been shown to support better and freer blood flow, which helps avoid swelling and blood clots, but also has anti-inflammatory effects and supports energy levels and a healthy male reproductive system;

Increased energy and faster metabolism. The antioxidants in black ginger activate the brown adipose tissue in the body, which helps transform the energy from food into heat and increases our vitality and our metabolism. Kaempferia parviflora extract is known to contain polymethoxyflavones, which boost AMP-activated protein kinase - a big contributor to cell metabolism. This was shown in animal studies and then confirmed by a study on young soccer players;

Weight loss and physical performance. Thanks to the increased energy expenditure observed in studies on mice, black ginger prevents the onset of obesity and can help you lose weight. Then, thanks to the better blood flow it generates, it also supports your whole body recovering from exercise - with oxygen flowing freely to your muscles as they rebuild after effort. Increased endurance and physical performance are also associated with black ginger’s anti-inflammatory effects and its role in enhancing the energy metabolism. 

Better cognitive health and mood. Black ginger has been found to reduce cognitive decline and improve neurological health. It also supports choline in the brain, also associated with mental and emotional wellbeing;

Male reproductive health. Thanks to the positive effect that black ginger has on endurance, on blood circulation and on energy levels, it has long been used to treat men’s sexual health problems, such as erectile dysfunction. It works as a natural PDE 5 inhibitor - preventing an enzyme present in blood vessels from working against good blood flow. By relaxing the blood vessels, black ginger can help fight erectile problems. 

Potential Black Ginger Side Effects

Given all its many benefits, it makes sense that you would want to add black ginger extract to your diet. Could there be any known side effects to be wary of? Here’s what has been reported so far. 

Gastrointestinal Issues

Some people report having an upset stomach or experiencing GI symptoms after taking black ginger extract. This can be linked to their diet or other underlying conditions, however, it is one of the possible - if infrequent - adverse side effects. 

Allergic Reactions

Allergies to spices such as ginger are really rare, but they can occur. The main thing to look out for would be skin reactions in this case. They can include redness, a rash or general inflammation. 

Other, more serious allergic reactions could involve coughing, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. If you suspect that you could have an allergic reaction, or if you’ve ever had a reaction to other spices (especially regular ginger), we recommend speaking to a medical professional before taking black ginger extract.

Increased Energy Levels

The fact that black ginger has a positive effect on vitality and energy levels is great. However, it can also be a downside if you’re not careful with the timing of your intake. Many people take black ginger extract before a workout, to get that extra boost. However, you need to ensure you leave enough time between having the black ginger and going to bed.

To have a great night’s sleep, you should take black ginger extract in the morning. 

Who Should Avoid Black Ginger Supplements?

Before deciding to add black ginger supplements to your diet, you should always consult with a medical expert to see if it’s right for you.

If you are aware of a spice allergy, particularly to ginger, then you should definitely steer clear of taking black ginger extract. You should also be careful about the potential of black ginger interacting with any other medication you may be on. As a rule of thumb, checking with a doctor is always a good idea - they will know your personal medical history and be able to advise fully. 

Is Black Ginger Right for You?

If you’re looking for a natural, safe way to increase vitality, boost your physical fitness performance and enhance sexual wellness, then black ginger extract could be the product for you. Thanks to its many benefits for the circulatory system and for the brain, black ginger can support multiple aspects of our modern lifestyles.

Moreover, taking black ginger extract in easy-to-swallow, convenient capsules ensures you’ll get a controlled, consistent dose every day, and feel its benefits as soon as possible. Browse our range here to see all your options.