GINSENG DOES NOT IMPROVE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, RECOVERY, OR PERFORMANCE

Engels, H.-J., Fahlman, M., Wirth, J. C., & Cieslak, T. J. (2002). Effects of ginseng on secretary immunoglobin A, Performance, and recovery from repetitive exhaustive exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 1306.

Active healthy adults supplemented their diets with a standard ginseng concentrate (N = 15) or placebo (N = 12) for eight weeks. Before and after the intervention, Ss performed three 30-s Wingate tests interspersed with three minutes of rest.

The ingestion of ginseng had no effect on the mucosal immune system, and failed to affect performance or recovery.

Implication. Ginseng has no value for improving the immune system, recovery, or performance.

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