Ginger Health Benefits - What is ginger good for?

You may be aware that ginger is a common ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine, but did you also know that it has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties?

Ginger has a long history of medicinal properties, including relief from nausea, digestive problems, and pain.

The root or underground stem, known as the rhizome, is the most commonly used medicinal part of the plant. It can be eaten fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, or used as an oil or juice.

If you don't use ginger in your cooking, here are 8 reasons why you should!

1. Ginger Relieves Digestive Issues

Ginger's phenolic compounds have been shown to help relieve gastrointestinal irritation.

They aid in the stimulation of saliva and bile production, as well as the smooth passage of food and fluids through the GI tract.

In a study of 24 healthy people, taking 1.2 grammes of ginger powder before a meal accelerated stomach emptying, reducing indigestion by 50%.

2. Ginger alleviates nausea.

Drinking ginger tea or eating raw ginger is a common and safe home remedy for nausea, particularly during cancer treatment, pregnancy, and morning sickness.

A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 1,278 pregnant women discovered that 1.1-1.5 grammes of ginger significantly reduced nausea.

3. Ginger Can Help With Pain

A study at the University of Georgia discovered that taking ginger on a daily basis reduced muscle pain by 25%.

Ginger has also been shown to help with menstrual cramps.

Ginger is also thought to be effective at slowing the progression of muscle pain on a daily basis, according to researchers.

4. Ginger Helps to Reduce Inflammation

Osteoarthritis is a common health problem characterised by the degeneration of the body's joints, resulting in joint pain and stiffness. In a study of 247 people with knee osteoarthritis, those who took ginger extract experienced less pain and required less pain medication.

5. Ginger May Lower the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

In a recent study involving type 2 diabetes participants, researchers discovered that 2 grammes of ginger powder per day lowered blood sugar and resulted in a 10% overall reduction over a 12-week period.

High blood sugar levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Because of the effects of ginger on blood sugar, your risk of heart disease may be reduced by at least 10%

6. Ginger May Help Lower Cholesterol

A 45-day study of 85 people with high cholesterol found that taking 3 grammes of ginger powder every day resulted in significant reductions in cholesterol levels.

Ginger, according to researchers, can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

7. Ginger May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties

6-gingerol, a substance found in ginger, has been studied as an alternative treatment for several types of cancer.

This theory is still being researched, but one study found that taking 2 grammes of ginger extract daily reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon.

8. Ginger May Help with Brain Function

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are two factors that can accelerate the ageing process and play a role in Alzheimer's disease and other age-related cognitive impairments.

According to some studies, the antioxidants and bioactive compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain.

Ginger extract was shown to improve reaction time and working memory in a study of 60 middle-aged women, implying that ginger benefits brain health in multiple ways.

So Go get that bottle of ginger and make yourself something amazing, Let me know if i missed anything in the comments below!