Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.
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 .
Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea. For
example, it has a long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, and
there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription
medication. Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy . But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness. Although
ginger is considered safe, talk to your doctor before taking large
amounts if you are pregnant. Some believe that large amounts can raise
the risk of miscarriage, but there are currently no studies to support
this.
Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. In
one study, consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days,
significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises. Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain . These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties.
Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness. In
a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those
who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication. Another study found that a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically .
This area of research is relatively new, but ginger may have powerful anti-diabetic properties. In a recent 2015 study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of ginger powder per day lowering fasting blood sugar by 12%. It also dramatically improved HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels), leading to a 10% reduction over a period of 12 weeks. There was also a 28% reduction in the ApoB /ApoA-I ratio, and a 23% reduction in markers for oxidized lipoproteins. These are both major risk factors for heart disease.
However,
keep in mind that this was just one small study. The results are
incredibly impressive, but they need to be confirmed in larger studies
before any recommendations can be made.
Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major driver of indigestion. Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach in people with this condition. After eating soup, ginger reduced the time it took for the stomach to empty from 16 to 12 minutes . In a study of 24 healthy individuals, 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50% .
Menstrual pain ( dysmenorrhea) refers to pain felt during a woman's menstrual cycle. One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief, including menstrual pain. In one study, 150 women were instructed to take 1 gram of ginger powder per day, for the first 3 days of the menstrual period. Ginger managed to reduce pain as effectively as the drugs mefenamic acid and ibuprofen.
High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the "bad" cholesterol) are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. In
a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, 3 grams of
ginger powder caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers . This
is supported by a study in hypothyroid rats, where ginger extract
lowered LDL cholesterol to a similar extent as the cholesterol-lowering
drug atorvastatin . Both studies also showed reductions in total cholesterol and blood triglycerides.
Cancer is a very serious disease that is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Ginger extract has been studied as an alternative treatment for several forms of cancer. The anti-cancer properties are attributed to 6-gingerol, a substance that is found in large amounts in raw ginger . In
a study of 30 individuals, 2 grams of ginger extract per day
significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon . However, a follow-up study in individuals at a high risk of colon cancer did not confirm these findings . There
is some, albeit limited, evidence that ginger may be effective against
pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More research is
needed.
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the aging process. They are believed to be among the key drivers of Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. Some studies in animals suggest that the antioxidants and bioactive compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses that occur in the brain . There
is also some evidence that ginger can enhance brain function directly.
In a study of 60 middle-aged women, ginger extract was shown to improve
reaction time and working memory . There are also numerous studies in animals showing that ginger can protect against age-related decline in brain function .
Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria . It
is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory
diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis . Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections.
12. Aids in weight loss I add freshly chopped ginger to cinnamon water which is simmered along with turmeric powder. Most of the days, this is my morning tea. They all help to reduce weight, gives a feeling of satiety when you eat little.
13. Dry ginger powder in my cough syrup Since I'm COPD, having chronic cough, I read somewhere about making cough syrups with simple ingredients available in the kitchen. So, started making my cough syrup with dry ginger powder and cayenne powder in equal parts ( 1/4 tsp.) with honey, apple cider vinegar and water ( 2 tbsp of each). 14. To get relief from cold When one gets cold, head is heavy, stuffy nose, a simple home remedy- take about 15 tulsi leaves, wash well, add to 400 ml water, crush 2 black peppercorns and 1" ginger finely chopped, let the water simmer for about 5 minutes, strain it, divide into roughly 3 parts, drink 1 part as hot as you can. I drink it plain without adding honey or sugar. Drink the 2nd part in the afternoon and 3rd at night. To whom ever I prescribed said they got good relief, as I make for hubby and self too. After straining, you can add water to tulsi leaves, boil and make your normal aroma tea !
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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