People have been using ginger for thousands of years for both cooking and healing. Not only is it a flavorful spice, but it also has a lot of benefits when used as medicine. Here we explore the many health benefits of ginger root, why you should consider adding it to your diet, and how it can improve your overall well-being.
- Improves digestion
Gingerol (an active component in raw ginger) is a natural gut health supplement that helps the overall digestion process. By increasing the movement in the digestive tract, it helps to empty out your stomach quicker. It can help to reduce constipation and bloating since ginger can promote healthy enzymes that break down food. This prevents food from not lingering for too long in the gut. If you experience some digestion issues like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ginger root could be your answer!Â
- Improves immunity
Gingerol boosts immunity with its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This can help your body to ward off many different types of bacteria. In addition to this, raw ginger also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it helps to fight gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, and ease other symptoms linked to common colds and the flu.
- Reduces menstrual pain
While menstrual pain can sometimes be managed with medication, ginger can provide a natural alternative. Incorporating ginger early at the start of the menstrual period, might make the pain much more manageable. Since ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, it can also relieve the bloating that comes along with that time of the month.Â
- Can treat some forms of nauseaÂ
Whether you are seasick, pregnant, hungover, or are just experiencing general nausea, there’s no doubt it’s an unpleasant feeling you’ll want to get rid of quickly. Consuming ginger works by reducing the gas that has built up in the intestines. Just taking 1-1.5 grams of ginger has been proven to be a significant factor in reducing symptoms of nausea.
- Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels
New research studies have found that ginger contains powerful anti-diabetic properties. In a recent study, taking just 5 grams of ginger daily for a period of three months showed to lower cholesterol levels. Even consuming 2 grams of ginger powder a day can help to quickly lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors. However, these studies are relatively new and small in size and more research needs to be conducted on a larger scale.
- May slow the growth of some cancers
Some studies have shown that the bioactive components in ginger may slow down the growth of some cancers. Gingerol can significantly reduce pro-inflammatory signaling molecules in certain stages of cancer in patients. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, gingerol acts like a protective barrier for your body.Â
- Improves brain function
Chronic inflammation and stress can greatly accelerate the aging process of our brains. This may cause the brain to decline in terms of developing cognitive disorders, mental health struggles, or Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence shows that ginger, due to its powerful healing properties, can also help enhance overall brain function directly. Not only that, it can improve memory, focus and reaction time. Lastly, ginger even releases dopamine and serotonin that helps to fight depression and anxiety. You can say that ginger is a great natural vitamin for the brain and for stress and anxiety relief.Â
- May help with weight loss
Ginger is a fantastic working agent when it comes to weight loss. This is due to the fact that ginger creates a feeling of fullness to prevent overeating. It helps control insulin levels, boost metabolism and aid in workout recovery. Ginger plays a big role when it comes to improving one’s physique. Although it’s not a fix-all, it can definitely supplement your results. Â
- Reduces painÂ
Ginger is an amazing natural pain reliever. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it helps to reduce the pain that is associated with working out and arthritis. Ginger also proves to tame muscle aches due to exercise, over time. When it’s consumed, studies have shown that people had less pain the next day compared to those who didn’t take it. Ginger is a much healthier alternative to over-the-counter pain medications.
- Â Makes skin healthier
Who doesn’t want radiant, glowing and healthy-looking skin? As a powerful antioxidant, ginger helps to increase overall blood circulation by protecting the skin from UV rays and to slow the breakdown of collagen. When there is a loss of collagen it will lead to wrinkle formation, causing the skin to age. Ginger also holds antiseptic properties. This means ginger can actively kill the bacteria on the skin’s surface and also aid in healing irritated skin. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help to combat acne scarring as well. Ginger is an underrated natural ingredient that has amazing benefits that can help with your overall health and well-being.
How to Include Ginger in Your Diet:
You can try adding ginger to your diet by taking Can-i Mend for recovery. You can also try the following recipes;