By Spy Uganda
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. It’s a very common ingredient in recipes. It’s sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics.
Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.
1. Contains gingerol, which has powerful medicinal properties.
Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It’s been used to aid digestion, reduce nausea, and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few of its purposes.
2. Can treat many forms of nausea, especially morning sickness
Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea.
It may help relieve nausea and vomiting for people undergoing certain types of surgery. Ginger may also help chemotherapy-related nausea, but larger human studies are needed.
However, it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.
But it’s recommended that pregnant women who are close to labor or who’ve had miscarriages avoid ginger. Ginger is contraindicated with a history of vaginal bleeding and clotting disorders as well.
3. May help with weight loss
Ginger may play a role in weight loss, according to studies conducted in humans and animals.
A 2019 literature review concluded that ginger supplementation significantly reduced body weight, the waist-hip ratio, and the hip ratio in people with overweight or obesity.
A 2016 study of 80 women with obesity found that ginger could also help reduce body mass index (BMI) and blood insulin levels. High blood insulin levels are associated with obesity.
4. Can help with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common health problem.
It involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness.
5. May drastically lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors
This area of research is relatively new, but ginger may have powerful anti-diabetic properties.
In a 2015 study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of ginger powder per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 12%.
6. Can help treat chronic indigestion
Chronic indigestion is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach.
It’s 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.
7. May significantly reduce menstrual pain
Dysmenorrhea refers to pain felt during the menstrual cycle.
One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief, including menstrual pain.
8. May help lower cholesterol levels
High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.
9. Contains a substance that may help prevent cancer
Ginger has been studied as an alternative remedy for several forms of cancer.
The anti-cancer properties are attributed to gingerol, which is found in large amounts in raw ginger. A form known as gingerol is viewed as especially powerful.
It may be effective against breast cancer and ovarian cancer as well. In general, more research is needed.
10. May improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s disease
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the aging process.
They’re believed to be among the key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.
11. Can help fight infections
Gingerol can help lower the risk of infections.
In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria.
According to a 2008 study, it’s very effective against the oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis. These are both inflammatory gum diseases.
Fresh ginger may also be effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory infections.
