We’ve all heard of ginger, most people might think of ginger ale when they hear it. I’m not sure there is even real ginger in most ginger ales though. Ginger is actually a root that can be consumed in different ways. It can be used fresh, dried, powdered, as an oil or juice. It’s closely related to turmeric. Plenty of people know that ginger can help with nausea, but did you know about the other benefits of consuming ginger?
Benefits of Ginger
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger that provides the many benefits that have been discovered in recent years. So, what can ginger do for you?
- It’s loaded with antioxidants, so it has the potential to help keep you healthier. It may even help fight the common flu or cold.
- Ginger also has anti-bacterial properties. It has been shown to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth specifically, reducing the risk of gum infections.
- The active ingredient, gingerol, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation in the body has been linked to several diseases and other health issues, such as obesity.
- It can aid in digestion of food. If you have it before a meal, it can increase the speed that your stomach empties, which will combat the problems that are caused when food sits in your stomach too long.
- Some studies have found that ginger is even linked to weight loss. This might be due to it’s ability to increase calorie burn or because of it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
- Weight loss may also be due to ginger’s ability to increase satiety. When you are more quickly satisfied, you tend to eat less and therefore are more likely to have a calorie deficit.
- Researchers have found that it might be able to help people who suffer from pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis. Again, this is probably related to it’s ability to reduce inflammation.
- It may help reduce other pain as well. A study in 2009 compared the effects of ginger, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and ibuprofen in the reduction of pain in women experiencing menstrual cramps. They found ginger to be just as effective as the other drugs in helping to relieve the pain.
- Another way it can keep you healthier is by reducing your LDL cholesterol. That’s the bad cholesterol that you want to keep low.
- Newer research is starting to show the possibility that it may even have anti-diabetic properties. It may help reduce insulin resistance.
How to get the benefits
As I mentioned before, there are several ways to consume ginger. I love adding it to my food, either fresh or ground. It’s found in a lot of Asian dishes. I also keep some candied ginger in my fridge to eat on its own before a meal or just because. Ginger tea is great too! It does have a spicy taste to it. Some people don’t like the taste and may just want to take a supplement. It’s recommended that you don’t take more than 2 grams of ginger per day. You can have too much of a good thing.
Also, it’s been found that it may not be beneficial for everyone. If you’re towards the end of a pregnancy or have had miscarriages in the past, it’s not recommended for you to consume. If you’ve had a history of vaginal bleeding or clotting disorders, you’ll want to avoid it as well. It’s always best to discuss with your doctor before taking any type of supplement, especially if you are taking any medications or have any chronic health issues.
For most people it’s safe to consume. It’s usually fairly easy to find in the grocery store, whether you want fresh, candied, ground, or dried. I’m always looking for ways to stay healthy naturally, without relying on medications or supplements. Adding ginger to my diet is pretty easy and even if it doesn’t provide as many benefits as researchers may think, it’s not likely to hurt me either.
What are your thoughts? Do you have any experience with using it? Let me know in the comments below.
