Ginger’s 11 Proven Health Benefits
Ginger is a flowering plant with a Southeast Asian origin. It’s one among the world’s healthiest (and most flavorful) spices. It’s a member of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. The rhizome (underground portion of the stem) is the component of the plant that is most usually used as a spice. It’s also known as ginger root or simply ginger. Fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice, ginger can be used in a variety of ways. It’s a widely used ingredient in cooking. It’s sometimes used in cosmetics and processed meals. Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that have been scientifically validated.
1. Contains gingerol, a potent anti-inflammatory compound.
Ginger has a long history of usage in both conventional and complementary medicine. To mention a few of its uses, it’s been used to assist digestion, relieve nausea, and combat the flu and common cold. Ginger gets its distinct aroma and flavour from its natural oils, the most prominent of which being gingerol. The main bioactive ingredient in ginger is gingerol. It’s responsible for a lot of the therapeutic benefits of ginger. According to studies, gingerol has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may, for example, aid in the reduction of oxidative stress, which is caused by an excess of free radicals in the body.
2. Can be used to treat a variety of nausea symptoms, including morning sickness.
Ginger appears to be a powerful anti-nausea agent. It may assist people who are having certain types of surgery feel better by reducing nausea and vomiting. Ginger may also assist with nausea caused by chemotherapy, although further human research are needed. Ginger is not suggested for pregnant women who are nearing delivery or have suffered miscarriages. Ginger is also not recommended if you have a history of vaginal bleeding or clotting problems (9Trusted Source).
3. It’s possible that it’ll assist you lose weight.
According to studies conducted on humans and animals, ginger may help in weight loss. Animal studies provide more evidence in favour of ginger’s significance in preventing obesity. Ginger’s capacity to promote weight loss could be due to a variety of factors, including its ability to boost calorie burn or lower inflammation.
4. Aids in the treatment of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very frequent condition. It is characterised by the deterioration of the body’s joints, resulting in symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. According to one study, participants who used ginger to treat their OA experienced considerable pain and disability decreases. Only minor adverse effects were noted, such as a dislike for the flavour of ginger. Despite this, roughly 22% of trial participants dropped out due to the taste of ginger, as well as gastrointestinal distress.
5. It has the potential to significantly cut blood sugar levels and improve heart disease risk factors.
Although research in this area is still in its early stages, ginger may have potent anti-diabetic properties. It also significantly improved haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a long-term blood sugar level indicator. Over the course of 12 weeks, HbA1c was lowered by 10%. Keep in mind, however, that this was only one tiny study. The findings are astounding, but they must be confirmed in larger research before any conclusions can be drawn.
6. Can assist in the treatment of persistent dyspepsia
Chronic indigestion causes pain and discomfort in the upper stomach on a regular basis. Indigestion is thought to be caused by delayed stomach emptying. Ginger has been demonstrated to hasten the emptying of the stomach. In a tiny 2011 trial, people with functional dyspepsia, or indigestion with no recognised reason, were given ginger capsules or a placebo. They were all served soup one hour later.
7. It has the potential to considerably lessen menstruation pain.
The pain experienced during the menstrual cycle is referred to as dysmenorrhea. Discomfort treatment, particularly menstruation pain, is one of the traditional applications of ginger. Recent research has also found that ginger is more effective than a placebo and is on par with medications like mefenamic acid and acetaminophen/caffeine/ibuprofen (Novafen). While these findings are encouraging, more high-quality research with a bigger sample size is still required.
8. It’s possible that it’ll assist lower cholesterol levels.
LDL (bad) cholesterol levels above a certain threshold are associated to an increased risk of heart disease. Foods you eat might have a big impact on your LDL levels. Many people dropped out of an OA research where they were given doses of 500 mg–1 gramme of ginger due to an unpleasant taste in their mouth. The doses used in the hyperlipidemia trial are five to ten times greater. Most people are unlikely to be able to maintain a 5-gram dose for long enough to notice results. Total cholesterol levels dropped in all three studies’ participants. The blood triglycerides of the participants in the 2008 trial, as well as the lab rats, were reduced.
9. Contains a chemical that may aid in cancer prevention.
Ginger has been investigated as an alternate treatment for a variety of cancers. Gingerol, which is found in great concentrations in raw ginger, is thought to have anti-cancer qualities. The version known as [6]-gingerol is thought to be particularly potent. 2 grammes of ginger extract per day reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon in a 28-day study of people at normal risk for colorectal cancer. Ginger may be useful against other gastrointestinal malignancies such as pancreatic cancer and liver cancer, according to some research, however it is limited. It may also be useful in the treatment of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More research is required in general.
10. May help to prevent against Alzheimer’s disease and improve brain function.
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can hasten the ageing process. They’re thought to be one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment as people get older. There’s also evidence that ginger can directly improve brain function. Daily doses of ginger extract were demonstrated to increase reaction time and working memory in a 2012 research of healthy middle-aged women. Furthermore, multiple animal studies have shown that ginger can help protect against age-related cognitive deterioration.
11. Can aid in the battle against infections
Gingerol can aid in the prevention of infections. In fact, ginger extract has been shown to suppress the growth of a variety of germs. It’s particularly efficient against the oral germs linked to gingivitis and periodontitis, according to a 2008 study. Both of these conditions are inflammatory gum disorders. Fresh ginger may also help to prevent respiratory infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Ginger is high in minerals and bioactive chemicals that have tremendous health and mental advantages.
