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Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food — it’s also full of nutrients. People have been using the root for cooking and healing for thousands of years. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardamom and galangal. The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice. It is often called ginger root, or simply ginger. Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional/alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few.
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice, and is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very common ingredient in recipes. The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Here are the different health benefits that the body
can get from the Ginger
1. Improves blood circulation – this benefit is most especially useful for those people who are suffering from high blood pressure or high cholesterol level.
2. Boosts immune system – ginger contains gingerdiol and gingerols that help fight viruses and bacteria
3. Bears anti-inflammatory properties – Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling. That may be especially helpful for treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You might get relief from pain and swelling either by taking ginger by mouth or by using a ginger compress or patch on your skin.
4. Helps in absorption of nutrients from the food eaten
5. Improves memory and functioning of the brain
6. Helps maintain the voice
7. Helps in digestion - If you live with chronic indigestion, also called dyspepsia, ginger could bring some relief. Ginger before meals may make your system empty faster, leaving less time for food to sit and cause problems.
8. Good for nausea - It may work by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in your intestines. It might also help settle seasickness or nausea caused by chemotherapy.
9. Helps relieve pain brought by dysmenorrhea - Got menstrual cramps? Ginger powder may help. In studies, women who took 1,500 milligrams of ginger powder once a day for 3 days during their cycle felt less pain than women who didn’t.
10. Helps fight stress – the benefits of ginger tea, include its anti-stress properties.
11. It can reduce your risk of diabetes - One recent small study suggested that ginger may help your body use insulin better. Larger studies are needed to see if ginger could help improve blood sugar levels.
12. It can also curb morning sickness - ginger may help reduce symptoms of morning sickness! In fact, research supports the safety and efficacy of ginger during pregnancy.
13. Hangover- Early research suggests that taking a combination of ginger, pith of Citrus tangerine, and brown sugar before drinking decreases symptoms of alcohol hangovers, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
14. Curbs Cancer Growth - Some studies show that bioactive molecules in ginger may slow down the growth of some cancers like colorectal, gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, breast, and prostate cancer. But much more research is needed to see if this is true.
15. Lowers Cholesterol - A daily dose of ginger may help you battle your “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5 grams of ginger a day for 3 months lowered people’s LDL cholesterol an average of 30 points.
16. Keeps Your Mouth Healthy - Ginger’s antibacterial power may also brighten your smile. Active compounds in ginger called gingerols keep oral bacteria from growing. These bacteria are the same ones that can cause periodontal disease, a serious gum infection.
17. Fights Germs - Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs. They’re especially good at halting growth of bacteria like E.coli and shigella, and they may also keep viruses like RSV at bay.
18. Soothes Sore Muscles - Ginger won’t whisk away muscle pain on the spot, but it may tame soreness over time. In some studies, people with muscle aches from exercise who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who didn’t.
19. Protects Against Disease - Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.
20. Insect bite - Early research shows that applying Trikatu to the skin, which contains ginger, long pepper, and black pepper extracts, does not reduce mosquito bite size.
What’s in Ginger Exactly? A Closer Look at Its Nutrition Facts
There are lots of different vitamins and minerals in ginger.
Vitamins and minerals present in fresh ginger in trace amounts:
• Vitamin B3 and B6
• Iron
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Folate
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
There are so many different ways to enjoy ginger — from sipping tea to incorporating it into your main dish. Indeed, you can use it to flavor both sweet and savory foods.
When buying ginger for a recipe, it’s healthier to opt for the fresh root rather than the dried, powdered form. You’ll get more of the gingerol that way. The root should be smooth and firm with no shriveling or mold on it. (4) Peel away the brown layer of skin with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, and then slice or chop it any way you’d like.
Use ginger for extra flavor in:
• Marinades for meat and fish
• Asian-inspired stir fry
• Homemade salad dressing
• Soups
• Smoothies
• Sweet potato and carrot dishes
• Tea – boil it in hot water alone or add lemon and a bit of sugar
• Cocktails
• Baked desserts
Pickled ginger is often paired with sushi or found in ramen dishes. It also goes well in salads or soups. You can buy it in a jar or make it yourself at home.
If you’re unable to get fresh ginger, the powdered spice will work as a substitute. In this case, the taste and smell will be different, and you’ll want to use less. About ¼ teaspoon of powdered ginger is equal to 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger. Powdered ginger is more commonly used when baking.
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