(Jung Kwan Jang) Recent research suggests red ginseng could help reduce fatigue, as prolonged heat and tropical nights leave more people struggling with poor sleep and low energy.A 2025 study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research followed 46 adults aged 40-60 who regularly experienced fatigue. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either red ginseng extract or a placebo for three weeks.By the end of the trial, the red ginseng group recorded significantly lower scores on a visual analog scale used to measure fatigue. The findings suggest the extract may help reduce everyday tiredness, although the small sample size and short study period mean further research is needed.Researchers are also examining how red ginseng may influence fatigue. One area of interest is mitochondrial function, which allows cells to convert nutrients into adenosine triphosphate, or ATP — the body’s primary source of usable energy.A 2022 animal study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that red ginseng extract improved mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle and restored ATP levels that had declined under fatigue-inducing conditions. The results pointed to a possible link between red ginseng and muscle energy metabolism, though findings from animal studies cannot be directly applied to humans.The research is drawing attention as Koreans face increasingly long periods of summer heat. Persistent tropical nights can interfere with the body’s natural cooling process, reducing sleep quality and leaving people tired during the day.An analysis of weather observations from 1973 to 2025 by the Korea Meteorological Administration found that the average annual number of tropical nights over the past decade was about three times that of the preceding decade. The tropical-night season has also tended to end 10 to 20 days later.Fluid loss and repeated movement between sweltering outdoor conditions and heavily air-conditioned interiors can add to the discomfort.The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recognizes red ginseng, ginseng and plum extract as functional ingredients that may help improve fatigue.Red ginseng should nevertheless be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, basic health measures. Sufficient sleep, hydration, regular meals and moderate physical activity remain the foundation for managing summer fatigue.