Ginger has become one of my essential home remedies. Now, instead of taking Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), I often turn to a hot cup of ginger tea to ease some ailments. And I can tell you about my experience that it’s very effective in alleviating pain.
That’s why today, I will share with you everything about ginger benefits and how you can start using it in your daily life in simple ways.
Discover 15 ginger benefits for your health:
Ginger is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.
It contains selenium, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, chromium, phosphorous, manganese, and zinc. Besides, it also has vitamin C and vitamin B6. Moreover, it contains a wide range of essential amino acids.
Ginger has antioxidant properties.
Some of its compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, have antioxidant properties.
In addition, one of the most scientifically studied ginger components is gingerol. And, It has an effective antioxidant action.
Eating foods with antioxidant properties helps prevent and combat the adverse effects of oxidative stress. As a result, we could avoid the appearance of a range of diseases, including cancer.
Anti-inflammatories benefits of ginger
One of the excellent properties attributed to ginger is that it reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain. These attributes make it helpful for treating ailments such as arthritis, headaches, and menstrual cramps.
It may also ease muscle aches from exercise.
I mainly use it as an anti-inflammatory since it does not have any of the adverse effects of the drugs that have the same function.
Ginger is Antinausea
The most popular use of ginger is to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
It is especially recommended for preventing motion sickness and seasickness. And it may relieve as well nausea associated with pregnancy, such as morning sickness, some surgical procedures, and cancer chemotherapy.
Ginger lowers blood sugar.
It is rich in zinc, potassium, and chromium, three essential minerals that intervene in the metabolization of sugar in our bodies.
Besides, gingerols increase insulin secretion in the body, helping to eliminate glucose in the body and improving insulin resistance.
Improves heart diseases risks & lowers cholesterol levels
It can significantly reduce the levels of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, It activates circulation, stimulates the heart, and is an anticoagulant, preventing the formation of blood clots. All these thanks to a specific substance called shogaol, which seems to be as effective as aspirin.
Ginger benefits help to treat chronic indigestion & stomach ulcers.
You could be amazed by the wonders ginger can work for digestive health. It is excellent for increasing intestinal flow and stimulating digestion. So, if you suffer from heavy digestion, it is the perfect remedy for treating stomach spasms, gas, and abdominal inflammation.
It is efficient as well as an antiacid. As a result, it helps ease the annoying symptoms of heartburn and gastritis.
Ginger can help prevent the formation of stomach ulcers, and it is also helpful in its treatment.
It’s antifungal
It is an excellent antifungal and eliminates fungal infections that are more challenging to treat and drug-resistant fungi, such as Candida Albicans. And it supports liver function while the body is detoxifying from fungi.
One of the most remarkable ginger benefits is that it helps prevent cancer.
Due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, the ginger compound, called 6-gingerol, has been shown to block the growth of cancer cells, especially in the ovaries, pancreas, colon, and prostate cancer.
Improves brain functions and prevents Alzheimer’s disease
Diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are related to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation of the brain. Because of its predominant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help prevent these diseases.
Several studies show that ginger extract can protect the brain against aging and cognitive decline.
Supports Oral health
It helps fight oral bacteria related to inflammatory gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. And for the same reason, it helps fight bad breath.
Ginger benefits help you lose weight.
One of the most common uses of this plant is in diets to lose weight. Its various digestive properties, metabolic acceleration, and its power to reduce inflammation make it ideal for this purpose.
Like any way to reduce body fat, using ginger for weight loss is not the magic pill. You must also implement a change of habits, exercise regularly, and have a varied and balanced diet.
Some studies verified that its consumption helps the body to feel satiety, thus preventing us from overeating.
Ginger benefits as an Aphrodisiac.
Ginger is a natural aphrodisiac that stimulates sexual appetite because it accelerates metabolism and raises body temperature.
It helps to prevent and treat respiratory symptoms.
Ginger helps treat cough, sore throat, rhinitis, and asthma.
The essential oils in rhizomes can suppress allergic reactions and improve the symptoms of respiratory diseases.
Being rich in vitamin C helps increase the immune system’s response to the attack of pathogens.
One of the benefits of ginger I love is: Ginger promotes hair growth.
Ginger increases the circulation of the scalp, being a perfect ally for hair growth.
You can make a homemade hair mask with ginger extract, castor oil, and coconut oil. Massage into the scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes.
You can also use ginger essential oil or ginger powder to prepare your masks.
Contraindications
Before using ginger, talk to your healthcare provider since herbal products can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications, causing side effects.
Who should not consume ginger?
Be careful when consuming ginger if you are in these groups of people:
- Children under two years
- People allergic to ginger
- Consume in moderation if you take anticoagulant medications. Since ginger itself has anticoagulant action.
- For the same reason, you should be very careful to consume it if you are pregnant. Specialists recommend not consuming more than 1 gram during pregnancy and eliminating its consumption on the date close to childbirth.
- Underweight people
- If you have heavy bleeding during your menstrual period, you should avoid ginger.
- Consult your doctor before introducing ginger into your diet if you have high blood pressure and are under medication,
- If you have hemophilia, avoid using it.
- People with diabetes. It can interfere with diabetes medication.
- If you are waiting for surgery.
- Ginger increases bile production, so you should be careful in their consumption if you suffer from gallstones.
- It can interfere with medical treatment for people with thyroid problems.
How to use it?
If you are sure that you can consume ginger without presenting any danger to your health, it is time to introduce it into your life.
This rhizome is very versatile, used as a spice to flavor our meals, tea, juices, smoothies, and detox waters. It is also widely used to prepare masks to improve the appearance of hair and skin.
Ginger Tea
The tea of this plant is the most widely used form for medicinal consumption.
Just cut a piece of root, peel it off, slice it, and make a decoction for about 5 minutes.
Ginger tea is very beneficial and can help detoxify or treat throat infections, tonsillitis, and common flu. One of the ways to reinforce this water is by mixing it with cinnamon, honey, and lemon.
Ginger detox water
This drink hydrates and stimulates urination, helping our body eliminate toxins.
To prepare it, we will need:
-1 tbsp of chia seeds
-a piece of fresh ginger
-mint leaves
-One lemon
-One cucumber
– 1L of hot water
Wash and disinfect lemon, cucumber, ginger, and mint leaves.
Them, peel the ginger. We will use the whole cucumber and lemon. Slice all the ingredients.
After, add them to the jar of hot water. Next, add the tablespoon of chia seeds.
Let it rest overnight. The following day will be ready to consume.
Ginger shot
For this recipe, we will need a juice extractor.
The only ingredients you will need are a piece of peeled ginger and a whole lemon.
To prepare the shot, cut them into slices, and put them in the extractor.
I like to add a pinch of Himalayan pink salt and cayenne pepper to reinforce its nutritional values and enhance its thermogenic qualities.
In summary, ginger is a rhizome that humans have used historically to treat many ailments due to its unique health benefits.
At present, its magnificent healing qualities continue to be investigated by science.
So, if you are a healthy person, start using it without problems. It will help you fight and prevent a wide range of ailments.
Perhaps you can even stop abusing pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs, which we use to treat minor conditions, which have so many adverse effects on our bodies, damaging the liver, kidneys, and immune system.
If you have any medical condition, consult your health provider before consuming it, as it can interfere with some medications.
It is exceptionally versatile, a fantastic ingredient for preparing our food, and our homemade mask.
I hope this article has helped you expand your knowledge about this wonder of nature.
