Ginseng Berry Concentrate Alleviates Fatigue in Humans: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

Ginseng berry concentrate (GBC) is known to effectively reduce fatigue; however, its effects on fatigue in humans remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antifatigue effects of GBC in participants who experienced fatigue in their daily lives. Eighty-eight participants aged 30-64 years with checklist individual strength (CIS) scores above 76 were randomly assigned to receive either four capsules of GBC (1000 mg; <i>n</i> = 44) or placebo (<i>n</i> = 44) daily for 8 weeks. GBC treatment alleviated fatigue symptoms in participants experiencing daily fatigue, as indicated by improvements in numeric rating scale (NRS) and CIS-physical activity scores, which were associated with lower resting lactic acid levels, a known fatigue indicator. Furthermore, in a subgroup analysis excluding 14 participants taking musculoskeletal drugs, GBC treatment alleviated fatigue as evidenced by lower total scores for fatigue questionnaires, including CIS, fatigue severity scale, and NRS, as well as by lower resting lactic acid levels. Collectively, these results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of GBC for ameliorating fatigue symptoms in individuals with fatigue.