Benefits of Ginger Root
Along with its
delicious flavor, ginger is one of the healthiest spices in the world.
Originally from Asia, ginger has been used for its medicinal purposes for
nearly 2,000 years by various cultures. Today, the beneficial spice is making
quite a name for itself here in the U.S. and rightfully so. Below is our list
of the top 22 health benefits of ginger root.
Prevention & Treatment
1. Fights Cancer
Today, most people are
affected by cancer in one way or another. Chances are you know someone who is
battling cancer or you may be fighting it yourself. If that’s the case, add
ginger into your daily diet. Several studies have found it beneficial in
fighting lung, prostate, ovarian, colon, breast, skin, and pancreatic cancers.
According to researchers, ginger’s anti-cancer properties are a result of
the compound 6-gingerol, which is found in large amounts in raw ginger.
6-gingerol has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities.
Adding ginger to your diet can help prevent new cancer cells
from forming and destroy active ones. It’s also beneficial for people who are
already on cancer treatments since ginger has been known to prevent the toxic
effects of cancer drugs. In a study with 744 cancer patients, ginger supplementation
significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea.
2. Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is
a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous
system. It accounts for nearly 60–70 percent of dementia cases in people over
65 years old worldwide. If Alzheimer’s runs in your family or you are worried
you may one day suffer from the disease, you should think about incorporating
more ginger into your current diet and daily routine.
Research shows ginger
can help slow down the loss of brain cells, which typically leads to
Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, some studies done on animals suggest the
antioxidants and other powerful compounds found in ginger can fight
inflammatory responses that occur in the brain. Other animal studies show that
consuming ginger can protect against age-related decline in brain function.
These findings weren’t only reached in animal studies, though.
In one study, researchers gave 60 middle-aged women ginger extract or a
placebo. Researchers then evaluated the women’s memory and brain function. They
found women who consumed ginger displayed “enhanced working memory.
Digestion
3. Helps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a common
disorder that affects nearly 25-45 million Americans. Some symptoms include
cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and mucus in the stool. People
who suffer from painful IBS will be happy to hear ginger can offer some relief.
That’s because ginger can help relax the intestines during a flair up. There are several ways
you can consume ginger – add ginger root in your cooked dishes, take ginger
supplements, or brew ginger tea. The good news is they all seem to have a
calming effect on the digestive system.
4. Relieves Gas
Gas can be
embarrassing at the wrong times. While there are a wide variety of anti-gas
products on the market, it’s always best to try the natural route first. Ginger
tea is easy enough to make and has been proven effective at relieving gas.
Drink a cup of ginger tea before you go to sleep to let it work its magic
overnight while you’re sleeping. It should act to clear out your digestive
system and neutralize the problem from inside. You can make your own
ginger tea by adding one two-inch slice of fresh ginger root to two cups of
water. On your stove, bring the ginger water to a boil and then let steep for
about half an hour.
5. Relieves Heartburn
Heartburn is the main symptom of acid reflux, or
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common condition that affects nearly
50 percent of Americans. Today, approximately 20 million Americans are taking
an acid inhibiting drug to treat painful heartburn. There’s a problem with that
statistic, though. Studies show certain
heartburn drugs do more harm than good. Instead of turning to drugs, drink
ginger tea.
According to doctors,
ginger has been found to have a gastroprotective effect, meaning it prevents
the loosening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and blocks acid from
regurgitating back into the esophagus. It also kills off harmful bacteria, such
as helicobacter pylori. This type of bacteria is linked to acid reflux.
For best results, it’s
recommended you drink one cup of ginger tea 20 minutes before a meal.
Weight Loss
6. Aids Weight Loss
Losing weight is one
of the best things you can do for your overall health. Did you know being
overweight can lead to heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood
pressure, diabetes, and some cancers? To help aid your weight loss efforts,
incorporate ginger into your diet.
Ginger is a natural
ingredient that’s found in many “fat-burning” supplements. It can speed up the
metabolism, leading to calorie-burning. It can also help keep you feeling full
for longer, reducing your overall calorie intake.
7. Suppresses Appetite
Ginger may help keep
you feeling full, suppressing your appetite and ultimately reducing your daily
calorie intake. A 2012 study published in the journal Metabolism found people
who drank a hot ginger beverage containing 2 grams of ginger powder after meals
reduced feelings of hunger for up to six hours.
8. Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels
Research out of
Australia suggests that ginger can help keep blood glucose levels in check.
This is important because these levels have a direct impact on weight loss and
weight gain, as well as how energetic or lethargic you feel throughout the day.
If you’ve noticed that you’re feeling a mid-day crash it’s likely due to your
blood sugar levels. Adding ginger to your lunch might help you stay focused and
on task. Think of ginger as an all-natural alternative to products like 5 Hour
“Energy.”
9. Relieves Tired Muscles
When you workout, your muscles naturally get tired. One way to
help speed up muscle recovery is to munch on ginger root. Studies have shown people who eat ginger experience a
significant reduction in muscle pain, allowing people to get back to the gym in
a shorter amount of time. More workouts lead to increased lean muscle mass,
which generally equates to natural weight loss as you burn calories around the
clock.
10. Boosts Nutrient Absorption
You probably don’t
realize, but when you eat a healthy meal you aren’t actually absorbing all of
the beneficial nutrients. Rather, people only absorb anywhere between 10-90
percent of the vitamins and minerals in their food. If you are looking to
improve your health and lose weight, you’ll want to absorb as many nutrients as
possible. That’s because nutrients can signal your hormones to let the body
know when it’s full and keep your fat-burning system working in tip-top shape.
Ginger has been known to boost nutrient absorption!
General Health and Wellness
11. Helps with Morning Sickness
Pregnant women might
want to increase their ginger intake if they are suffering from bouts of
morning sickness. That’s because the ginger acts as a calming agent. When
compared to a placebo in clinical tests, participants who consumed ginger
noticed significant symptom relief.
12. Reduces Arthritic Inflammation
Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. For that
reason, it can help relieve a host of inflammation-based conditions and
diseases. That includes arthritis, a condition
that affects millions of Americans. Along with reducing inflammation, people
with arthritis can expect some pain relief from the ginger.
13. Opens Up Inflamed Airways
If you have asthma you
have likely been scouring the internet for ways to help open up your airways
(ones that don’t involve taking steroid-based medications). Ginger has been
shown to open up airways by reducing inflammation. It can also relieve pain associated
with asthma. While researchers say ginger may not solve your asthma condition
on its own, it can definitely be used as part of a comprehensive approach.
14. Improves Circulation
Ginger can help thin
blood, improving overall circulation. As ginger improves blood flow, it can
generate a warm feeling inside the body. That’s one reason many people enjoy
sipping ginger tea on cold days.
Minor Ailments
15. Heals Frostbite
Here’s a handy tip to
remember if you ever come down with a case of frostbite. You can drink ginger
tea during your recovery process to speed up recovery. Ginger will help to
improve your circulation, which helps your body return the affected parts back
to their normal state. You don’t have to drink very much of it in order to get
the desired results. Just about 8 ounces a day is all that’s necessary to have
it work.
16. Stops Motion Sickness
Ginger has long been
used as a natural remedy for motion sickness. If you get car sick or sea sick
then it’s a smart idea to consume a little ginger before you get in the car or
boat. Ginger is so effective at settling an upset stomach that it has even been
shown to outdo OTC medications like Dramamine. It eases all of the accompanying
symptoms of motion sickness, so you don’t have to worry about getting dizzy,
feeling nauseous, breaking into cold sweats, or worse, puking out the window or
over the side of the boat.
17. Provides Pain Relief
Forget ibuprofen, try
consuming ginger instead! No matter what type of pain you’re suffering from,
ginger can act as a natural pain reliever. Along with fighting inflammation
that can cause aches and pains, ginger also works on a hormonal level. Consider
starting your morning with a cup of ginger tea and see if you notice
improvements throughout the day.
18. Clears Sinuses
If you’re looking for
sinus relief without having to resort to an over-the-counter drug, turn to
ginger first. There is an active ingredient in ginger that has shown to work
wonders on the sinuses, helping to unclog them and facilitate drainage. All you
need to do is brew a nice cup of hot ginger tea to get the benefits without the
use of medications with possible side effects.
19. Improves Your Breath
Unlike other foods
like garlic, ginger can actually help to improve your breath. Eat ginger toward
the end of your meal so it can cleanse your palate and leave your mouth feeling
refreshed. You can also drink it as a beverage mixed with simple hot water. It’s
a great way to flush out your mouth and neutralize a bad taste in your mouth,
like the dreaded “coffee breath” from drinking coffee.
Super Spice
20. Increases Sex Drive
With an increased
functioning of the circulatory system, it’s no wonder that ginger has been
referred to as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years. It didn’t take long for
people to make the connection between ginger and an extra pep in the step! The
nice part is that it works for both sexes equally since it can increase
circulation in both female and male sex organs.
21. Boosts Immune System
Does it seem like
every time you turn around you’re battling another cold or illness? If so,
chances are your immune system is weak. Your diet plays a large role in
strengthening or weakening your immune system. To keep your body’s defense
system strong, eat ginger. Doctors say ginger can cleanse the lymphatic system,
flush out toxins, and kill bacteria.
22. Protects Against Nuclear Radiation
Hopefully this isn’t
something you’ll ever have to worry about, but it’s still good to know in case
World War III breaks out. People living near the Fukushima disaster area have
given strong consideration to upping their ginger intake with this news. If you
want to get the full benefits of this feature you’ll have to have a daily dose
of ginger so it’s in your system and stays there.
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