Today, people still consider ginger a natural way to soothe an upset stomach, and there’s research to back up its health benefits. Ginger is also used in tons of modern recipes.
Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food — it’s also full of nutrients. People have been using the root for cooking and healing for thousands of years.
Ancient writings from Rome, Greece, China, and Arab countries all describe ginger’s uses as a medicine. It was especially popular in Asian medicine as a treatment for stomach issues, including nausea and diarrhea. Other traditional medical uses for ginger include treating muscle and joint pain, cold and flu symptoms, stomach pain, menstrual cramps, and skin burns.
Defining Ginger and Understanding What It's Good for
Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. (Source, Wikipedia.com)
Also, Ginger is a tropical flowering plant that originally grew in Southeast Asia but is now widely available from growers around the world. It's classified as a member of the Zingiberaceae family, making it a close relative of turmeric. (3) The scientific name for ginger is Zingiber officinale, which is thought to come from the Sanskrit name for the spice (singabera).
While most vitamins and minerals help you in many ways, the health benefits of garlic have earned it a spot among unique superfoods.
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10 BENEFITS OF GINGER FOR BEAUTY AND HEALTH Just a pinch of fresh gingerroot can transform the flavor of baked goods. It also keeps your body happy and healthy! Here's a closer look at the benefits of ginger.1. It's an anti-inflammatory Related to superfoods like turmeric and cardamom, ginger contains the compound gingerol, a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Naturally occurring anti-inflammatories are important because they can help curb an overactive immune system. Inflammation is your body's natural and healthy response to injury or illness—and it tells your white blood cells that it's time to start healing. But too much inflammation is also associated with disease, like celiac and fibromyalgia, which is why doctors and nutritionists alike are keen on antioxidants—they help reduce inflammation. Leafy greens, blueberries, and — you guessed it — ginger, are all high in antioxidants, which means they help minimise inflammation throughout the body.  2. It settles the stomach If you've ever sipped ginger ale or ginger tea in an attempt to soothe an upset stomach, you already know that ginger can help curb nausea. It's also the perfect drink to sip after a heavy meal, says health reporter Marissa Miller. "A cup of ginger tea could help your stomach empty faster so food doesn't just sit there after an indulgent meal," Miller explains at Women’s Health. "It'll help calm your stomach and stave off bloating and gas." Win-win.  3. It can reduce your risk of diabetes. Diabetes is a huge problem in this country, with 10.5 percent of us afflicted in 2018. What's more, Black Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives suffer from the disease at a higher than average rate, according to the American Diabetes Association. Scientists have linked some active compounds in ginger with improvements in insulin and metabolism. That said, if you're at risk for diabetes, adding extra to sugary gingerbread cookies won't do you any favors! Keep both dried and fresh ginger on-hand for flavoring smoothies and veggie-based stir-frys and soups. While some chemical compounds in ginger may decrease over time, the drying process enhances other beneficial ones. 4. Fight Cancer Thanks to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of ginger, it’s been heavily credited to helping combat a handful of diseases. Because of this, ginger has been widely studied and used to manage—and even prevent—some cancers, too.  5. Burn Extra FatMaking a healthy ginger soup doesn’t just make for a delicious dinner—it also helps keep excess weight off. Since the active ingredients in ginger boost your metabolism, it helps burn fat. 6. It can help you look younger You probably see the buzzword “antioxidant” splayed across your favourite expensive face creams – but that’s actually for good reason. There’s promising (yet preliminary!) research suggesting antioxidants help protect the skin from free-radicals (things in the environment like pollution and UV rays), which speed up the breakdown of collagen and damage the skin. According to Ansel, ginger’s antioxidant content can help maintain your skin’s collagen production, which promotes skin elasticity and smoothness. 7. It can help boost immunity Why do people live on ginger lozenges when they’re sick? Those same gingerols that fight inflammation also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties to help fight infections and boost your immunity. Steal Brissette’s speedy-recovery go-to:
Or, toss a teaspoon into chicken soup for some added cold-fighting benefits. 8. May help lower cholesterol One study found that people who took ginger pills daily saw decreased levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) after 45 days, as compared to people who were given a placebo. However, more research is needed to definitively say that you can take ginger to lower cholesterol. 9. It can help you lose weight. Some small studies have linked ginger intake — when combined with other plant extracts — to some benefits in weight loss. And there's definitely some promising animal research linking ginger to weight management. But as with anything else, ginger is no magic weight-loss pill! Other components of a healthy, balanced diet matter just as much when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off. 10. Deliver Post-Workout Pain Relief Because ginger can help reduce inflammation within the body, it reduces muscle pain that comes after a super intense workout. Ginger has also been used to treat pain-related symptoms in those who have osteoarthritis, with the help of a purified ginger extract.  |
HOW TO INCORPORATE GINGER INTO YOUR DIET
Whether you purchase ginger root from the farmers market or your local grocery, look for firm roots with skin that contains few nicks, bumps and bruises. To take full advantage of ginger’s many health benefits, you’ll have to scrape or cut the brown skin away, revealing the crisp yellow flesh beneath.
Mince and add to stir-fry, smoothies, or salad dressings to amp up the flavour in your favourite dishes. Ginger goes especially well with soy sauce, garlic and salmon, for an Asian-inspired stir-fry, or pulsed in a juicer with carrots and pineapple for a heart-friendly smoothie.
To store, place unused ginger in a plastic bag or tupperware—then toss it in the crisper for up to four weeks. As soon as you see discoloration or soft spots, the ginger is past its prime.
This zingy root is so easy to add to your diet that you might be tempted to go overboard on your new favourite superfood, says dietitian Christy Brissette.
"Having a couple of tablespoons of fresh or powdered ginger a day is fine," Brissette explained to Women’s Health. "If you’d like to take more, speak to your doctor, as ginger can interfere with some medications."
Interested in adding more superfoods to your diet? Try this turmeric golden latte for another anti-inflammatory treat.
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