With the arrival of foods from all over the world, ginger seems to have found its place in our diet. There are many people who have gone from using it as a punctual ingredient in confectionery to taking it in infusions. This is the root of a plant with many benefits for the body and health.
Ginger is a root that can be ingested in different forms. It has a very special flavor and great health benefits. It is not uncommon that in many places it is considered a true natural medicine. Its properties make it a highly recommended food in different aspects.
Where does ginger come from?
Ginger is also known as kion or quion. It is a plant that belongs to the tuber family and that, thanks to its aroma and positive effects, has been the subject of study for centuries. Its spicy aftertaste is what makes it a perfect condiment in the kitchen.
It is currently found in tropical regions around the world, although they say that it has its origin in the Arab countries, China and India. It has always been recognized as a plant with medicinal properties, becoming a good natural anti-inflammatory that fights digestive, respiratory and heart diseases.
Ginger is actually a thick, tangled beige underground stem. The root is the main part used as a spice throughout the world. It has been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabian herbal traditions for thousands of years. It is usually underground, irregularly branched, thickened and fleshy, and light brown in color.
It has an aromatic, pungent, and pungent taste, which is why it is mainly used in traditional medicines, as well as in a wide range of foods around the world.
nutrients
It is normally consumed in food and as a flavoring in beverages. As a medicine, ginger is available in many forms, including teas, syrups, capsules, and liquid extracts. It has been used most often by adults in doses of 0.5 to 3 grams orally daily for up to 12 weeks. However, it is also available in topical gels, salves, and aromatherapy essential oils.
The nutritional information for five slices (11 grams) of ginger is:
- Energy: 9 calories
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 0.2 grams
- Sugar: 0.2 grams
- Protein: 0.2 grams
- Sodium: 1.4mg
- Magnesium: 4.7mg
- Potassium: 45.6mg
There are 2 grams of carbohydrates in five slices of ginger. It also contains a negligible amount of fiber and sugar. It is considered a low glycemic index food. People with diabetes and those who need to watch their blood sugar level can eat ginger without worrying about the carbohydrate content.
Also, it contains zero grams of fat and does not contain a significant amount of protein. Therefore, we will make sure to include other foods rich in these nutrients. Although ginger is not a significant source of many micronutrients, it does contain some magnesium and potassium.
Of course, 9 calories per five slices is not a significant source of calories. Most of the calories in ginger are derived from carbohydrates.
Benefits
Ginger is a featured food in many recipes for its benefits. For many years, this root has been a good support for traditional Chinese medicine, but its properties provide benefits for health in general. In addition, it can be introduced into the diet in different ways: in infusion, grated in the sauce, in a soup, in the famous cookies or in a milkshake.
Reduces pain
Ginger contains substances called gingerols that decrease inflammation and deactivate pain-causing compounds in the body. Logically, it is not a magical food, so if you have chronic pain, go to a doctor to evaluate your case.
It is sometimes taken as a supplement for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (two painful conditions that cause joint damage). Since ginger is an anti-inflammatory, it can also relieve joint pain due to inflammation from arthritis.
An earlier study found that people with knee osteoarthritis who took ginger extract had less pain and used fewer pain relievers. But they did experience a slight stomach upset due to the higher concentration of ginger extract.
Improves irritated skin
In winter, the wind and cold air can make your skin drier than usual. It will not be enough to put on moisturizing cream, the best hydration is the one that takes place inside the body. Drink water and add ginger for its anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe red, irritated skin.
Promotes anti-aging
You will be tired of hearing the word “antioxidant” and seeing it in millions of creams and drugs. Some research suggests that antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals, which accelerate the breakdown of collagen and damage the skin. This food has a good amount of antioxidants that can help maintain the production of collagen in the skin, promoting the elasticity and smoothness of the skin.
Reduces the risk of cancer
There is no food that protects us 100% from cancer, but there are properties of ginger that can promote better protection against serious diseases. As we said before, it has a high content of antioxidants.
There is growing evidence that it can help prevent cancer as well as a complementary therapy to cancer treatment. This is attributed to gingerol, a compound in fresh ginger that is known to have anti-cancer properties.
In one study, people with a normal risk level for colon cancer were given 2 grams of ginger for 28 days. At the end of 28 days, the researchers found that the participants had decreased levels of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules in the colon. While this research is promising, larger studies of ginger’s anti-cancer abilities are needed.
Improves the digestion process
A cup of ginger tea could help the stomach empty more “quickly”, preventing food from sitting there and slowing down digestion. In addition, it is capable of calming stomach pains, abdominal swelling and gas.
Chronic indigestion is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. Delayed stomach emptying is believed to be one of the main causes of indigestion. Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up stomach emptying.
Reduces nausea
Ginger has been used for years as a natural remedy for nausea, backed by science. So pregnant women, people who train too much or travel by boat, could benefit significantly.
It can help relieve nausea and vomiting in people who are having certain types of surgery. Ginger may also help with chemotherapy-related nausea, but larger human studies are needed. However, it may be more effective when it comes to nausea related to pregnancy, such as morning sickness.
It is recommended that pregnant women who are close to delivery or who have had miscarriages avoid ginger. It is also contraindicated with a history of vaginal bleeding and coagulation disorders.
Improves the immune system
With the arrival of the cold and colds, surely there are people in your environment who take ginger. Inflammation-fighting gingerols also possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help fight infection and boost immunity.
In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria. According to a 2008 study, it is highly effective against oral bacteria associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. Both are inflammatory gum diseases. Fresh ginger may also be effective against respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of respiratory infections.
Relieves menstrual cramps
It seems that it works for everything. If we are menstruating and have ovarian pain, a natural alternative to ibuprofen is ginger. The why? I think the anti-inflammatory effect should solve it for you.
Dysmenorrhea refers to pain felt during the menstrual cycle. One of the traditional uses of ginger is to relieve pain, including menstrual pain. More recent studies have concluded that ginger is more effective than a placebo and equally effective as medications such as mefenamic acid and paracetamol/caffeine/ibuprofen.
Prevents cardiovascular diseases
The beneficial properties of this food help prevent the formation of clots, so a heart attack or stroke is largely avoided. Before taking ginger as another more natural option, if you are taking anticoagulant pills, you need to ask your doctor.
Reduces bad cholesterol
Ginger can help lower LDL (known as “bad”) cholesterol levels, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease. A small study affirmed this property, showing that control groups consuming three grams of ginger (three times a day) experienced a significant decrease in triglycerides and cholesterol, compared to the placebo group.
The foods we eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels. Although the drop in LDL is impressive, it is important to note that the study participants received very high doses of ginger.
Ginger extract lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol to a similar degree as the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin.
Helps lose weight
Ginger may play a role in weight loss. Supplementation with this plant significantly reduces body weight, waist-hip ratio, and hip ratio in people who are overweight or obese.
The evidence for ginger’s role in helping prevent obesity is strongest in animal studies. Rats and mice that consumed ginger water or ginger extract experienced a steady decrease in their body weight, even when they had also been fed high-fat diets. Ginger’s ability to influence weight loss may be related to certain mechanisms, such as its potential to help increase the number of calories burned or reduce inflammation.
Applications
There are several ways to take ginger: fresh, dried or powdered. The most common is to take it in infusions , there are even companies that sell them so that you do not have to buy natural ginger. In this case, you need a liter of water and a piece of the root. Once the water begins to boil, add the ginger and let it rest for about 3 to 4 minutes. So that it does not have such a “bad” taste, you can add a little honey, orange, lemon or chamomile.
You will also be able to see how there are chefs who incorporate it to dress salads, season meats or take a dish with an Asian touch. There are those who use ginger juice or essential oil since it has a higher concentration of properties. Of course, they should not exceed 9 drops a day and they must be divided into three doses.
How to prepare ginger infusion?
Taking ginger infusion we benefit from its great anti-inflammatory, digestive, antioxidant and analgesic properties. We have already seen its great benefits that make it a true natural medicine capable of greatly promoting your health.
To prepare your ginger infusion:
- Cut a piece of fresh ginger root
- Put it in a saucepan with water and let it boil for 5 minutes
- Add the juice of half a lemon
- Put a teaspoon of raw honey
We can also grate fresh ginger and add it directly to the boiling water.
It is very simple and its benefits are incalculable. It is not surprising that the fame of this food has been increasing popularly in recent years. Its great versatility also makes it an easy ingredient to consume, since it can be eaten in different ways.