USE GINGER FOR ACHES, PAINS, ARTHRITIS AND
MORE
If minor aches and pains are an issue for you, try ginger, a
natural anti-inflammatory agent that is useful for relieving symptoms
associated with arthritis, bursitis, motion sickness, nausea and more.
Ginger is commonly available in forms ranging from whole fresh root, crystallized ginger and honey-based ginger syrups to capsules containing powdered extracts. Look for products made with only 100% pure ginger. For inflammatory conditions, take one or two grams of powdered ginger a day; for nausea and prevention of motion sickness, take 1,000 mg as a preventive and 500 mg every four hours as needed. (You might also try eating eat two pieces of crystallized ginger, taking a spoonful of ginger syrup or sipping ginger tea.) Since high doses may cause a burning sensation in the stomach, take ginger with food. Ginger may also act as a blood thinner, so curbing daily use at least two weeks before surgery is advisable. If you are pregnant, use ginger to address morning sickness with some caution - I would not recommend using more 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day taken in two to four divided doses, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy.
Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.
It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.
Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.
Ginger is commonly available in forms ranging from whole fresh root, crystallized ginger and honey-based ginger syrups to capsules containing powdered extracts. Look for products made with only 100% pure ginger. For inflammatory conditions, take one or two grams of powdered ginger a day; for nausea and prevention of motion sickness, take 1,000 mg as a preventive and 500 mg every four hours as needed. (You might also try eating eat two pieces of crystallized ginger, taking a spoonful of ginger syrup or sipping ginger tea.) Since high doses may cause a burning sensation in the stomach, take ginger with food. Ginger may also act as a blood thinner, so curbing daily use at least two weeks before surgery is advisable. If you are pregnant, use ginger to address morning sickness with some caution - I would not recommend using more 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day taken in two to four divided doses, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy.
Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.
It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.
Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.
1. Ginger Contains Gingerol, a
Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties
Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China.
It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardomon and
galangal.
The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part
commonly used as a spice. It is often called ginger root, or simply ginger.
Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of
traditional/alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce
nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few.
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or
juice, and is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very common
ingredient in recipes.
The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural
oils, the most important of which is gingerol
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible
for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant effects
2. Ginger Can Treat Many Forms
of Nausea, Especially Morning Sickness
Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea.
For example, it has a long history of use as a sea sickness
remedy, and there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription
medication
Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and
in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
But it may be the most effective when it comes to
pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.
According to a review of 12 studies that included a total of
1,278 pregnant women, 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger can significantly reduce symptoms
of nausea
However, ginger had no effect on vomiting episodes in this
study.
Although ginger is considered safe, talk to your doctor before
taking large amounts if you are pregnant. Some believe that large amounts can
raise the risk of miscarriage, but there are currently no studies to support
this.
Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced
muscle pain.
In one study, consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days,
significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises.
Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective
at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain.
These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties.
4. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Can Help With Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common health problem.
It involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to
symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.
In a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the
knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain
medication.
Another study found that a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil, can
reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically
5. Ginger May Drastically Lower
Blood Sugars and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors
This area of research is relatively new, but ginger may have
powerful anti-diabetic properties.
In a recent 2015 study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes,
2 grams of ginger powder per day lowered fasting blood
sugar by 12%
It also dramatically improved HbA1c (a
marker for long-term blood sugar levels), leading to a 10% reduction over a
period of 12 weeks.
There was also a 28% reduction in the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, and a 23% reduction in
markers for oxidized lipoproteins. These are both major risk factors for heart
disease.
However,
keep in mind that this was just one small study. The results are incredibly
impressive, but they need to be confirmed in larger studies before any
recommendations can be made.
6. Ginger Can Help Treat Chronic
Indigestion
Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is
characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the
stomach.
It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major
driver of indigestion.
Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the
stomach in people with this condition.
After eating soup, ginger reduced the time it took for the
stomach to empty from 16 to 12 minutes .
In a study of 24 healthy individuals, 1.2 grams of ginger powder
before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50% .
7. Ginger Powder May
Significantly Reduce Menstrual Pain
Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) refers to pain felt during a
woman’s menstrual cycle.
One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief,
including menstrual pain.
In one study, 150 women were instructed to take 1 gram of ginger
powder per day, for the first 3 days of the menstrual period .
Ginger managed to reduce pain as effectively as the drugs
mefenamic acid and ibuprofen.
8. Ginger May Lower Cholesterol
Levels
High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) are linked to an increased risk
of heart disease.
The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.
In a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, 3
grams of ginger powder caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers.
This is supported by a study in hypothyroid rats, where ginger
extract lowered LDL cholesterol to a similar extent as the cholesterol-lowering
drug atorvastatin .
Both studies also showed reductions in total cholesterol and
blood triglycerides.
9. Ginger Contains a Substance
That May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a very serious disease that is characterized by
uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Ginger extract has been studied as an alternative treatment for
several forms of cancer.
The anti-cancer properties are attributed to 6-gingerol, a
substance that is found in large amounts in raw ginger
In a study of 30 individuals, 2 grams of ginger extract per day
significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon
However, a follow-up study in individuals at a high risk of
colon cancer did not confirm these findings.
There is some, albeit limited, evidence that ginger may be
effective against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More
research is needed.
10. Ginger May Improve Brain
Function and Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the
aging process.
They are believed to be among the key drivers of Alzheimer’s
disease and age-related cognitive decline.
Some studies in animals suggest that the antioxidants and
bioactive compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses that occur in
the brain .
There is also some evidence that ginger can enhance brain
function directly. In a study of 60 middle-aged women, ginger extract was shown
to improve reaction time and working memory.
There are also numerous studies in animals showing that ginger
can protect against age-related decline in brain function
11. The Active Ingredient in
Ginger Can Help Fight Infections
Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help
lower the risk of infections.
In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different
types of bacteria .
It is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to
inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis .
Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of
respiratory infections .
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