9 Health Benefits of Ginger as Backed by Research

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Several research outcomes have backed the presence of health benefits in ginger.

Ginger root is widely used as an ingredient in several cuisines across the world, because of its delicious taste, but how many people are truly aware of its health benefits?

Possible ways of consuming ginger

Ginger scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and its cousins include turmeric, galangal, fingerroot, and lotus.

This rhizome can be consumed as follows:

• Infused in very healthy oils.
• Eaten fresh.
• Dried, and used as a spice.
• Ground into powder and used for diverse purposes.
• Included in juices.

How could it even be possible for you to mention a list of the healthiest spices in the universe without including ginger?

Ginger is a powerhouse of health benefits that often go unrecognized.

If you are not keen on including this wonder in your meal preparations, I urge you to do so.

Here are 9 health benefits of ginger that have been backed by research:

Ginger contains a powerful substance called gingerol

For centuries, ginger has been used in alternative and traditional medicine, because of its medicinal properties.

When you consume ginger, you benefit from gingerol which is a bioactive compound.

In addition, there are enormous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in ginger.

Ginger promotes brain function/protects against Alzheimer’s disease.

Are you finding that the aging process seems to be coming faster than you expected?

This could either be a result of chronic inflammation or oxidative stress.

Did you know that age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease could be associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation?

Ginger can help you fix this in unimaginable ways. Thanks to its rich abundance of anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidants.

If you are an older person, consuming ginger could enhance your brain activity, as well as provide you with efficient protection against age-related cognitive decline.

Treats nausea

Here are examples of instances where ginger has been proven to be effective in treating nausea:

• People who suffer from sea sickness.
• People who experience post-operative vomiting/nausea
• Cancer patients going through chemotherapy
• Women with pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting.

Provides relief for muscle pain

If you happen to strain any of your muscles during physical exercise, you might want to consider taking some fresh ginger tea, because it sure helps.

These amazing health benefits of ginger are a result of its rich anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger helps in the management of osteoarthritis

When your joints begin to degenerate, thus leading to stiffness and pain, osteoarthritis has begun creeping in.

Ginger has been shown to help alleviate this condition.

Another study showed that when ginger was combined with certain food substances that also possess anti-inflammatory properties, it helped patients who had knee osteoarthritis.

Ginger reduces the risk of heart diseases/significantly improves blood glucose levels

Examples of excellent research findings about the anti-diabetic potential of ginger could be seen as follows:

• Fasting blood sugar levels were significantly lowered in people who took 2 grams of ginger every day.
• The same research indicated a reduction in potential risk factors associated with heart diseases.

Ginger provides relief for chronic indigestion

Are you experiencing some recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of your stomach?

Dyspepsia or chronic indigestion is an uncomfortable experience that leaves many wondering what to do to feel better.

How often do you do “number two”? Do you experience delays in that department?

If this is the case with you, consider taking ginger, and see how much better you would begin to feel.

Add ginger to your soups, and you would have a justifiable reason to put me on speed dial thereafter.

Ginger has the potential to prevent cancer

Ginger extract has been shown to provide an alternative treatment for diverse strains of cancer.

When abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably, cancer is said to have occurred.

Gingerol has anti-carcinogenic properties, and its abundance in ginger makes this possible.

People at risk for colorectal cancer have shown remarkable improvements after consuming ginger extract.

Ginger helps lower bad cholesterol levels

Increased risks of heart diseases are related to high levels of LDL lipoproteins.

Do you consciously choose foods that positively influence your good cholesterol (HDL)?

When you cultivate the habit of including some amounts of ginger in your food, you could improve your cholesterol markers.

I could go on and on writing about the health benefits of ginger.

I urge you to consider including ginger in your daily meals because it is one of the best superfoods you could ever find.

In what ways do you enjoy consuming ginger?