Ginger is a rhizome that finds wide use in flavoring and adding fragrance to foods and beverages. Ginger also has medicinal properties that justify its use in treating different conditions. For instance, there is a reference to the use of ginger for medicinal purposes in ancient Chinese, Arabic, Greek, and Arabic records. Ginger is consumed fresh or dried. In some cases, ginger is taken as tablets or capsules, especially when used as a dietary supplement. Ginger is also added to water and teas due to its health benefits and dietary value.
Health Benefits of Ginger
Gingerol is a phytochemical mainly found in fresh ginger. The phenolic compound possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Gingerol accounts largely for the medicinal properties in ginger. Gingerol and other nutritional components of ginger confer various health benefits.
Ginger Prevents Cancer
Cancer prevalence has increased significantly in recent times. However, consuming ginger provides protection against the growth of malignant cells. 6-gingerol plays a key role in preventing cancer because of its anti-cancer properties. Although scientific evidence is still limited, several studies have explored the role of ginger in preventing cancer, with positive results. For instance, current evidence shows that ginger provides protective effects against pancreatic cancer.
Ginger Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol contribute to the development of heart disease. However, adding ginger to the diet helps prevent the buildup of this form of cholesterol. A study with 85 participants who had high cholesterol levels demonstrated that taking three grams of ginger daily for 45 days leads to a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, blood triglycerides, and very-low-density lipoprotein.
Ginger Fights Infections
Gingerol, the most abundant bioactive compound in raw ginger, is beneficial in preventing infections. The compound has anti-bacterial properties that inhibit the proliferation of disease-causing bacteria or pathogens. Evidence shows that ginger is effective even against drug-resistant microbes. Therefore, ginger can help manage diseases caused by drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Ginger also possesses antiviral properties. On this note, there is credible evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing infections associated with the human respiratory syncytial (HRSV) virus.
Ginger Alleviates Pain
Ginger helps in relieving different types of pain. For instance, ginger is an effective remedy for reducing muscle pain. The anti-inflammatory properties, particularly help in alleviating pain in people who have rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ginger may as well help women who have menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea to relieve their discomfort. The intake of one gram of ginger powder daily in the first few days of menstruation provides clinically significant pain relief.
Ginger Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
Ginger improves brain health and function by inhibiting the inflammatory responses that cause cognitive decline. It contains antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that prevent and remedy oxidative stress and brain inflammation. As a result, ginger helps the body get rid of the chemicals that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginger Relieves Indigestion and Nausea
Chronic indigestion can become a source of discomfort and affect one’s quality of life. However, ginger alleviates this problem by speeding gastric emptying. One study found that ingesting 1.2 g of ginger powder every day before mealtime speeds up gastric emptying by 50 per cent.
Ginger also helps treat nausea in pregnant women and cancer patients, among others. In most cases, taking 1-1.5 g of ginger is considered adequate for treating nausea. Expectant mothers should exercise caution when taking a large amount of ginger. They should consult their doctor in such cases due to the risk of a miscarriage.
Nutrition Information of Raw Ginger Root
| Raw Ginger Root Per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
| Energy | 333 kJ (80 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 17.77 g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.0 g |
| Protein | 1.82 g |
| Sugars | 1.7 g |
| Fat | 0.75 g |
| Vitamins | Quantity |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.16 mg |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.75 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | 0.203 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.034 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 11 microgram |
| Thiamine (B1) | 0.025 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.26 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity |
| Magnesium | 43 mg |
| Manganese | 0.229 mg |
| Potassium | 415 mg |
| Iron | 0.6 mg |
| Phosphorus | 34 mg |
| Zinc | 0.34 mg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Sodium | 13 mg |
| Other Constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 78.9 g |
Very interesting and thought provoking 😊🌺
Thank you!😊
You’re most welcome 🌺
Interesting!
Thank you!😊
Very neat and this post is timely. I just finished making some ginger syrup and besides healthy it’s delicious.
Thank you! It is also good to know you had a good experience with ginger. Ginger syrup has many health benefits, with the most important being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. You can check out more articles on my blog. And who knows? You might find something else even more interesting.😊
I’m sure I will. Thank you very much. I will work with elderberries soon and I’m excited about it.
That is great. You go for it. Clearly, elderberries are very good nutritionally and can confer many health benefits due to their high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutritional components. I looking forward to reading more about them.
Thank you for your encouragement and support. 😊
You’re most welcome. It is the least I can do. 😊
I love ginger and have a glass of ginger water or chai tea (with added ginger) every evening!
It is good to hear that you have had firsthand experience with ginger. Ginger is very beneficial when consumed. It is packed with antioxidants and other nutritional components that help with weight loss, digestion, pain management, and blood glucose regulation. So definitely, you receiving all these benefits and others.😊
Thanks ginger is so powerful!! Nice to meet you and thanks for following me; I am now following you!
Yes, the medicinal properties make ginger a good addition to your diet. Nice to meet you too and thank you for following me.😊
And it tastes great. I juice it too. You are well and you are most welcome!! ❤️
Taking ginger juice regularly helps you boost your immune system, improve your digestion, destroy cancer-causing molecules, and fight infections. Thank you!😊
It sure does!!! You’re most welcome. ❤️
Quite insightful and informative 😁🙌🏻
Thank you! I hope you’ll keep coming back for more. 😊
Your most welcome 😁
Yes surely, it is always a great pleasure 🥰🥰💖
I really like your article especially the way explained everything in detail.
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thanks for sharing such an amazing post.
Thank you for the compliment. I will surely drop by and see you site. You can also check out other articles on my blog. You will definitely find other interesting content.
Thank you so much 🙏
Ginger is my friend. 😋🌾
Yes, ginger adds that spicy aroma and peppery flavor, making food or drink quite tasty. 😋
Yes, indeed.
Thank you. Please check out my latest post related to health.
I love homemade ginger tea 🍵
Then you are truly enjoying the full benefits of ginger.😊
Sure am! 😊
Ginger is an amazing food! It totally saved me from a extremely bad stomach flu I got while traveling abroad. I had stayed in a really nice secluded hotel with complimentary bottled water. So, with nowhere to go, I of course drank the bottled water. At the end of my week long stay, I discovered the hotel staff refilling the glass bottles with faucet water…In short, the following week, I ended up swallowing small cut up pieces of fresh ginger to get some much needed relief. The ginger worked immediately to relieve all my profound symptoms…
That is a very good testimony about the medicinal properties of ginger. In particular, its potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties had everything to do with your stomach relief .
Great informative article. I love ginger and use it often in cooking, teas, baked goods and as a supplement.
Thanks for following my blog and introducing me to yours 🙂
Thank you for the compliment and following my blog.😊 More importantly, for finding the time to read through this article. I am also very pleased you found it informative. I agree with you that ginger has become increasingly important today due to its medicinal and health benefits. Besides, it adds good flavor and aroma to our foods.
It’s must for great health!!
Indeed, it is a great addition to your diet.
Reblogged this on The Searchlight and commented:
I love ginger and I sure enjoy it in my tea daily.
Thank you for reblogging this post. I believe it will now reach more people. Ginger is a very beneficial to the body and adding it to your tea daily enables you to harness these benefits and more.
You can say that again. The taste is superb, what with the aroma!
So informative, thank you.
Thank you for taking your time to read.
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will go along with with your website.
Thank you for your compliment and feedback.
Beautiful and well-researched piece of work. Informative and educative.
Thank you! I appreciate your compliment.
Well-researched and informative article. Good job!
Thank you! I appreciate your positive feedback.
We use ginger a lot in England too. Gingerbread is especially popular coming into Winter as is good for the lungs. Clears congestion. Thanks for article.
I agree, ginger is very beneficial in preventing and treating colds and respiratory infections due to its strong anti-Inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
Pictures that make me go mmm
Thank you!
Informative…I like your post..
Thank you!
Very informative. And ginger is widely used in India for its various medicinal purposes.
Health benefits aside, people should consume it because it’s delicious. Ginger is fantastic!
Yes, it really does add a good flavor.
A good article I drink ginger (made) with fresh ginger every day and also cook with ginger I am sure it contributes alongside a healthy diet to my continued good health 🙂 Thank you for following CarolCooks2 🙂
You are most welcome CarolCooks2. I am glad to know you regularly consume ginger and get to enjoy its many health benefits.
Thanks for this…will use more in my cooking
Yes, you should use it more. There are just too many benefits for you not to use ginger in your cooking. Thank you for reading my blog.
very well written and information content.
Thank you!
I love ginger and keep a fresh root in my freezer. It’s easy to grate and slice frozen, and then I don’t risk it going bad. Thanks for the great post!
I am glad you found this post helpful. Thank you for the insights as well. I am sure readers will find this information useful.
Very informative. Thank you for this information, it was a nice read.
Thank you for your kind words.
Ginger is very useful. It can save several medical expenses.
Yes, that is why it is always a good idea to use ginger as regularly as possible.
Very interesting
Thank you!
Ginger is truly amazing!!
Yes, indeed. Just the spice you need in your food or drink.
I’ve read many times about the health benefit of ginger. However, I found out that it gives me heart burns. What could be the cause of this?
I agree that ginger sometimes can cause mild heartburn when taken in higher doses that is beyond 4 grams in a day. So, you should probably reduce the amount you use on a daily basis.
I’m so happy the benefits of Ginger are being shared!
Awesome
Reblogged this on .
I love fresh ginger, especially in tea!
That is a healthy way to start your day, considering the benefits.
I’m a regularly taking ginger water first thing in the morning, I use it for my Arthritis, I previously already new some of the benefits, but really glad that you found more benefits, to help me to continue daily drinking ginger water.
I am delighted to hear this. Keeping taking ginger to enjoy all these benefits.
Ginger tea works well to cut down fats too! Just a fact.