Ginger is well known for its use in the culinary field, but it is also now commonly used in the field of medicine to treat various illnesses. In this article, we are going to discuss the different amazing health benefits of ginger. Can it really be beneficial for the health? Give this article a read, and you’ll find out! Don’t worry, you are guaranteed to learn a lot from this article, so sit back, relax and enjoy the read!
Ginger: a Brief Description
Ginger’s scientific name is Zingiber officinale, and it is part of the Zingiberaceae family, which also contains turmeric and cardamom. In the fact, ginger is a flowering plant, and its rhizome, or root, is what’s used as a spice. Commonly produced in countries such as Indonesia, Fiji, Jamaica, Australia and India, ginger is one of the most popular ingredients in cooking, especially in Indian and Eastern Asian cuisines. It can be used to make tea, or it can be crushed or chopped up to put in curries and other savory dishes. You may consume it in various forms, including juice, oil, powder, raw or in capsule form. In some places, it is also used in alcoholic drinks and or crystalized and dried for various confectionaries and sweets.
It also has a lot of health benefits, which we’re going to tackle in this article as well. Ginger essential oil is beneficial in alleviating various illnesses, from fighting various infections to reducing cholesterol and enhancing the weight loss. It is very clear that adding ginger root to the diet is astoundingly efficient for your health.
Ginger: the Nutritional Content
Ginger has been used for thousands and thousands of years now for its amazing medicinal purposes. Ginger contains a diverse array of essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, it also contains gingerol, a compound that has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are linked to various health benefits.
Here is what ginger may provide the body:
| Principle | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Energy | 80 Kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 17.77 grams | 13.5% |
| Protein | 1.82 grams | 3% |
| Total Fat | 0.75 grams | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 grams | 5% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 11 µg | 3% |
| Niacin | 0.750 milligrams | 4.5% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.203 milligrams | 4% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.160 milligrams | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 0 IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 5 milligrams | 8% |
| Vitamin E | 0.26 milligrams | 1.5% |
| Vitamin K | 0.1 µg | 0% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 13 milligrams | 1% |
| Potassium | 415 milligrams | 9% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 16 milligrams | 1.6% |
| Copper | 0.226 milligrams | 25% |
| Iron | 0.60 milligrams | 7.5% |
| Magnesium | 43 milligrams | 11% |
| Manganese | 0.229 milligrams | 10% |
| Phosphorus | 34 milligrams | 5% |
| Zinc | 0.34 milligrams | 3% |
Health Benefits of Ginger
Here are some of the most amazing health benefits of ginger:
- Helps promote proper digestion. One of the most potent health benefits of ginger is its capacity to support digestive health and prevent conditions like dyspepsia. One study suggests that ginger speeds up digestion by 25% compared to those with indigestion.
- Helps ease inflammation. Even though inflammation can be quite normal (in fact, it is a healthy immune response to infection and injury), chronic inflammation is a major contributor to various conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
- Helps block various bacterial infections. Ginger has amazing antifungal properties which help get rid of bacterial infections too. Furthermore, based on one test-tube study, ginger was found to help inhibit the growth of a particular strain of bacteria that causes gum disease.
- Helps improve brain function. The rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are beneficial in improving brain function. This is one of the best health benefits of ginger.
- Helps lower cholesterol in the body. One study suggests that ginger has the capacity to reduce bad cholesterol in the body and increase the levels of good cholesterol.
- Helps relieve muscle and joints pain. Since it is capable of reducing inflammation, adding ginger to your diet may help treat both arthritis and muscle pain. Furthermore, one study shows that adding ginger to your daily diet can reduce muscle pain caused by exercise-induced injuries.
Other Health Benefits of Ginger
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels. Research shows that ginger is beneficial in promoting normal blood sugar levels.
- Helps inhibit the growth of cancer. One test tube study suggests that ginger and its own components may have a huge impact in blocking the growth and development of cancer cells.
- Helps ease menstrual pain. One study regarding ginger suggests that it is effective in easing the pain brought on by menstruation.
- Helps relieve nausea. Studies show that ginger is essential in reducing the symptoms of nausea, with minimal to no side effects.
