Ginger is a plant with leafy stems and yellowish-green flowers. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. It is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. It is also now grown in the Middle East to use as medicine and with food.
Ginger is commonly used for many types of nausea and vomiting. It’s also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Nutritional Value
Ginger can treat numerous illnesses. This includes arthritis, colds, hypertension, nausea, and migraines. Today, scientists are discovering more evidence of its medicinal properties.
Its root is well known for its potassium and manganese content. Potassium is essential for maintaining normal blood circulation, muscle, and nerve function.
Manganese helps to absorb beneficial vitamins and minerals. The American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide reveals that ginger is a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium.
This common ingredient has vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, and zinc. These are powerful antioxidants that protect your prostate from harmful free radicals. Free radicals speed up tissue aging and cancer development.
Vitamin C and zinc stimulate the immune system and protect the prostate from infection and inflammation.
Did you know, for example, that incidents of prostate cancer are lower in Japan? That’s because they always have ginger and green tea in their diet. These are natural lipoxygenase inhibitors.
What Is Ginger?
Ginger is a flowering tropical plant that grows in China, India, Africa, the Caribbean, and other warm climates. The root of the ginger plant is well-known as a spice and flavoring. It’s been a traditional remedy in many cultures for thousands of years.
Where does it come from?
Ginger is a spice that originated from the rhizomes of the plant Zingiber officinale. It is commonly used in many Asian, Ayurvedic, and middle eastern dishes. Ginger use dates back to 3,000 years ago in India.
In fact, ginger is one of the most commonly consumed dietary condiments in the world
7 Health Benefits Of Ginger
1. May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness
This potent spice has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been found in studies to help relieve muscle pain and soreness. In one study, researchers found that consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle-related arm pain. The study found that ginger may attenuate the day-to-day progression of muscle pain as a means of delaying rather than preventing.
2. May help with weight loss
Ginger may play a role in weight loss, according to studies conducted in humans and animals.
A 2019 literature review concluded that ginger supplementation significantly reduced body weight, waist-hip ratio, and hip ratio in people with overweight or obesity.
A 2016 study of 80 women with obesity found that this could also help reduce body mass index (BMI) and blood insulin levels. High blood insulin levels are associated with obesity. Study participants received relatively high daily doses — 2 grams — of ginger powder for 12 weeks
3. Improve stomach performance
Useful in improving digestion and increasing absorption of food, ginger tea can be bloating after eating too much.
4. Improve blood circulation
The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in ginger tea can help restore and improve blood circulation that may help decrease the chance of cardiovascular problems. It may prevent fat from depositing in the arteries helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke.
5. Stimulates Digestion
Ginger helps increase the body’s ability to empty food from the stomach more quickly—known as gastric emptying. With this increased motility in the digestive system, it’s less likely that heartburn or indigestion will occur. In fact, one study of healthy participants showed that taking ginger capsules (1200 mg) with a meal stimulates digestion so much that gastric emptying speed was doubled! Imagine the relief that would come from food leaving your stomach twice as quickly.
6. Sexual strength
Ginger is also referred to as the perfect herb that brings new levels of passion. This explains why ginger features prominently in the Kamasutra, a reliable Indian sex guide. It is one dependable aphrodisiac. The warming effect of the herb resembles capsaicin in peppers. It contains a gingerol chemical. The heat the body generates after ingesting the herbs is the same as the body heat that released sexual arousal between lovers. This is the aspect of warmth that makes a major contribution towards stimulating one sexually, all of which starts in the brain. As a result, one becomes highly aroused.
7. Diabetes
This is a disease that is affecting a lot of men especially when they are older. It is included as a good diet, it becomes instrumental in treating diabetes. This is because it is rich in manganese as well as magnesium. These minerals as useful in the regulation of blood sugar in all men, diabetic or not. Ginger is hence important as it prevents all sorts of unwanted complications resulting from the same. Since diabetes and its medication affects a man’s sexual performance, it counters the negative effects of diabetes.
Side effects of Ginger include:
- Unsafe during pregnancy
- When taken by mouth
- Breast-feeding
- Causes bleeding
- Bad for stomach
- May Cause HeartburnCause Gas And Bloating
- Cause Skin And Eye Irritation
8 Side effects of Ginger you must be aware of
It is not only a flavourful ingredient but also a very popular Ayurveda herb that is helpful in treating many common ailments. From flavoring dishes to flushing out toxins, it is known for its magical benefits and that’s the reason chefs and doctors both swear by it.
1. Unsafe during pregnancy
According to gynecologists, consuming ginger beyond the prescribed limit of 1500 mg per day may increase the risk of miscarriage. To be on the safer side, it is suggested to avoid too much ginger during pregnancy or consume only after consulting a doctor.
2. When taken by mouth
It is LIKELY SAFE when taken appropriately. And also cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported more menstrual bleeding while taking ginger.
3. Breast-feeding
There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking ginger if you are breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
4. Causes bleeding
We all know that ginger has anti-platelet properties. In that case, excessive intake of ginger may cause bleeding. It has also been found that when consumed with cloves of garlic, it further increases the risk of excessive bleeding.
5. Bad for stomach
Ginger is a strong ingredient when consumed on an empty stomach may lead to gastric stimulation that leads to digestive distress and an upset stomach too.
6. May Cause Heartburn
Ginger, when taken in higher doses (more than 4 grams per day), may cause mild heartburn. As per anecdotal evidence, other likely side effects include an upset stomach and belching.
7. Cause Gas And Bloating
Cause certain mild digestive side effects. It most often impacts the upper digestive system and causes upper digestive gas. Replacing ginger with supplements could be one solution to this. But make sure you talk to your doctor before using them.
8. Cause Skin And Eye Irritation
According to an Iranian study, the most common allergic reaction to ginger is a skin rash. Other allergies to ginger include itchy eyes, skin redness, and skin inflammation.
Who should never use it?
1. People with blood disorders
Haemophilia is a rare condition that prevents the ability of the blood to clot. Though blood clots can be risky in some conditions, it is still important for the body. Loss of the ability to clot can lead to excessive bleeding due to a minute cut or injury.
Where ginger is recommended for people to improve blood circulation in the body, people with Haemophilia may actually suffer severe hemorrhage due to increased blood circulation in the body. It may even nullify the effects of some life-saving medication.
2. Underweight people
It is essentially known as the root solution for weight loss. It regulates the digestive enzymes in the stomach and reduces your appetite which leads to weight loss. But for people who already are underweight, there are repercussions.
3. People With Ulcers/Inflammation
Unchewed fresh ginger may produce intestinal blockage, and individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel ailment, or blocked intestines may react badly to great amounts of fresh ginger.
4. Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should also be cautious with ginger as it may trigger uterine contractions. It has also been shown to inhibit the absorption of nutritional dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins. It is suggested that you refer an herbalist. Or a licensed healthcare expert before using this as a supplement or in your food.
Also read: Health Benefits Of Banana:9 Good Reasons To Eat A Banana Today
5. People with a blood disorder
The ginger raises the blood flow and it also accelerates it, which is usually a great thing, but not in people who have blood illnesses such as hemophilia. In this situation, this amazing plant can make things worse. People who take medicine for these illnesses should know that ginger may invalidate their effect.