Southeast Asia gave birth to the flowering plant known as ginger. It's one among the world's healthiest (and most flavourful) spices.
It is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and is related to galangal, cardamom, and turmeric.
The subterranean, or rhizome, portion of the stem is what is most frequently used as a spice. It is frequently referred to as ginger root or just ginger.
Fresh, dried, powdered, oil, juice, and other forms of ginger can all be employed. It appears in recipes rather frequently. It is occasionally included in cosmetics and processed meals.
Here are 11 health advantages of ginger that have been verified by study.
Helps Combat Germs
Fresh ginger has certain chemical components that assist your body fight against pathogens. They may help prevent viruses like RSV from spreading and are particularly effective in stopping the growth of bacteria like E. coli and shigella.
Maintains Dental Health
The antimicrobial properties of ginger may help enhance your smile. Gingerols, active substances found in ginger, prevent oral germs from proliferating. Periodontal disease, a dangerous gum infection, is brought on by the same bacteria.
Reduces Nausea
The ancient wives' story that ginger helps to calm an upset stomach, especially during pregnancy, may really be accurate. It could function by dissolving and eliminating gas that has accumulated in your intestines. Additionally, it might alleviate chemotherapy-related nausea or motion sickness.
Supports Muscle Pain Relief
Ginger won't instantly relieve muscular discomfort, but it could ease soreness over time. According to several research, participants who took ginger the night after exercising and experiencing muscular pains experienced reduced discomfort.
Eases the Symptoms of Arthritis
Since ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, it lessens edoema. That might be especially beneficial for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. By eating ginger orally or applying a ginger compress or patch to your skin, you may be able to reduce discomfort and swelling.
May Reduce Cancer Growth
According to several research, the bioactive compounds in ginger may help various malignancies, including colorectal, gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, breast, and prostate cancers, develop more slowly. But much more research is needed.
May Reduce Blood Sugar
Ginger may improve your body's ability to utilise insulin, according to a recent tiny research. Larger research are required to determine whether ginger can lower blood sugar levels.
Alleviates Period Pain
Do you get period pains? Ginger extract might be useful. According to research, women who consumed 1,500 mg of ginger powder once a day for three days during their period experienced less discomfort than those who did not.
Reducing Cholesterol
Your "bad" or LDL cholesterol levels may be fought with a daily intake of ginger. In a recent research, consuming 5 grammes of ginger daily for three months resulted in an average 30 point reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Provides Disease Protection
Antioxidants, which save your body's DNA from stress and oxidative damage, are abundant in ginger. They may also support healthy ageing and aid your body in the battle against chronic conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and lung illnesses.
Congestion Relief
Ginger may provide some comfort if you experience persistent indigestion, commonly known as dyspepsia. Ginger before meals may help your body empty more quickly, reducing the amount of time food can sit and produce issues.
SOURCES:
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials: “Inhibitory effect of Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale extracts on clinically important drug resistant pathogenic bacteria.”
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: “Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines.”
Phytotherapy Research: “Antibacterial activity of [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria,” “Acute effects of dietary ginger on muscle pain induced by eccentric exercise.”
Benzie, I., Wachtel-Galor, S., Herbal Medicine, 2nd edition, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, 2011.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Ginger.”
Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care: “The Effect of Ginger on Pain and Satisfaction of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.”
American College of Rheumatology: “The Effect of Ginger Therapy On Symptoms of Osteoarthritis: An Open Pilot Study.”
International Journal of Preventative Medicine: “Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence.”
Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: “The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.”
BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine: “Effect of Zingiber officinale R. rhizomes (ginger) on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a placebo randomized trial.”
Clinical & Medical Biochemistry: “Effects of Ginger on LDL-C, Total Cholesterol and Body Weight.”
FEBS Letters: “Calorie restriction and prevention of age-associated chronic disease.”
World Journal of Gastroenterology: “Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia.”
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology: “Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans.”