Nutritional Analysis of Ginger (ZingibreOfficinale) Drink: Potentials for Sports Performance

PURPOSE: Sport and energy drinks for performance enhancement is a common practice among athletes. These supplements reportedly increases health risks including; dehydration, anxiety, headache, sleep disturbances, caffeine intoxication, withdrawal syndrome, dependence and over working of body systems leading to exploration of alternative traditional herbal supplements like ginger which has both dietary and medicinal values. The purpose of this study is to determine nutritional values of ginger drink and ascertain their potentials for enhancing sport performance.

METHODS: Experimental research design was adopted to analyse two versions of ginger drinks prepared using ginger rhizomes (Botanical Identification: UIL/001/1083) was obtained from an open market in Ilorin, Nigeria. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Ilorin Ethical Review Committee. The ginger rhizomes was used to prepare 2ml/98ml (H2O) and 3ml/97ml (H2O) of ginger concentration. Six samples; (i) 2ml & (ii) 3ml with 1 cube of sugar (1CS) each (iii) 2ml & (iv) 3ml with 2 cubes of sugar (2CS) each (v) 2ml & (vi) 3ml each with no sugar (NS) were prepared and subjected to proximate analysis at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Statistical analysis was descriptive and nutritional components were reported as percentage per 100ml.

RESULTS: Nutritional values of the ginger drinks were similar; all six samples contained protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and essential minerals; the energy value was 168 kj/100ml, which was richer than most energy/sport drinks commonly consumed in Nigeria. These indicated ginger drink might effectively enhance glucose supply for ATP synthesis, delay fatigue, reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, boost recovery and sport performance. Ginger drink containing 1CS had increased pH/100ml; 3.50% for both 2ml/98ml (H2O) and 3ml/97ml (H2O) but ginger drink containing 2CS had the same pH with NS ginger drink; 3.18% for 2ml/98ml (H2O) and 3.09% for 3ml/97ml (H2O).

CONCLUSIONS: Ginger drink is nutritious and might reliably enhance sport performance. Ginger drink with 2CS had less pH implying more potential for sport performance. A follow-up study is ongoing to ascertain the effects of ginger drink on anaerobic and aerobic capacity of athletes.