Ginger
Proven Health Benefits of Ginger
- Ginger prevents thrombosis and unusual blood clotting
- It prevents and reduces severity of ulcers
- Ginger interferes with calcium channel to reduce blood pressure
- Ginger is anti-parasitic and can be used to treat sleeping sickness
- Ginger interferes with cholesterol formation and helps to reduce incidence of cardiovascular diseases
- Ginger is effective in treating nausea and morning sickness
- Ginger supports insulin production and help reduce blood sugar
What is Ginger?
Ginger is a rhizome – has irregular-shaped food-laden underground stems with adventitious roots – and probably the most famous one. Ginger, Zingiber officinalis, has been known as a popular spice since ancient China, as well as used being for various herbal preparations. The plant stands only 2-4 feet tall, but is much taller in its usefulness and health benefits. The WHO puts down ginger as one with anti-emetic, cholagogic and anti-inflammatory properties, having compiled from sources such as the UK, China, Thailand and Europe pharmacopeias. Ginger, in most cuisines, is used as either a wet or dry spice. Sometimes, it makes its way into teas, juices and other beverages. Essential oils of ginger are also extracted for various uses, while it can also be pickled.
What is the Usefulness of Ginger?
Ginger enhances bioavailability of vitamins and amino acids by up to one and half times, one study shows.1 A clinical trial showed that continuous intake of ginger for 28 days massively reduced amounts of pro-inflammatory compounds like cyclo-oxygenase and LOX, proving its anti-inflammatory capabilities. Other trials involving patients with migraine have shown analgesic and anti-inflammatory abilities of ginger. Studies show that ginger is helpful in managing Type II diabetes, when taken over a long period of time. It was observed that insulin resistance reduced, while others showed a faster onset of hypoglycemic activity2. Ginger has also shown potent anti-oxidant and radical-scavenging activities, protecting delicate nerve cells and preventing onset of cancers and pre-mature cell ageing. Ginger prevents lipid peroxidation, making it a useful preservative.
Health benefits:
- Helps prevent or treat
- Type II Diabetes
- Trypanosomiasis
- Hepatitis C
- Menstrual pains and dysmenorrhea
- Ulcers
- Migraines
- Reduces cholesterol and blood pressure
- Anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic
- Prevents cancers with antineoplastic properties
Nutrition:
A piece of fresh ginger is nutritionally composed as follows:- Water – 81%
- Carbohydrates – 12.3%
- Fat – 0.9%
- Fiber – 2.4%
- Minerals – 1.2%
Toxicity:
Toxicity from ginger is far-fetched, but maximum accumulative dose is 4grams of ginger powder or less. Ginger is unsurprisingly safe, even for pregnant and lactating mothers, to the point of enhancing bioavailability of essential vitamins and active compounds. Very high doses of ginger – >15g of dry powder – have been observed to result in anti-clotting and platelet inactivity in some individuals. Capsaicin in ginger, often acts as a natural check to over-eating ginger at a goal, due to the spicy burning sensation it leaves.