19 Amazing Proven Facts about Ginger (Part 2)
Welcome back to our 19 Amazing and Proven Facts about Ginger; this time we give you Part 2. We will continue on from last week's 9 facts and offer you 10 more great reasons to incorporate more of it in your diet.
If you missed our first article last week, check out our first installment of 19 Amazing Proven Facts about Ginger Part 1.
As we mentioned last week, ginger is not only widely used in both savory cooking and sweet treats, but hugely valuable for treating a wide range of physical ailments.
Check out our 10 more Facts about Ginger!
A study by scientists from the Tehran University of Medical Services, Iran, is investigating the active part of ginger in mitigating the danger of complications of diabetes.
In light of the study, ginger-powder supplements appear to have the capacity to enhance fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein An I, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein An I and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetic patients.
Aside from consuming it as a food ingredient, ginger is also prepared in other forms for medicinal use.
It may come in a 250 mg capsule form, usually taken for morning sickness 4 times a day. Bigger doses of 1-2 grams powdered ginger are given to patients about to undergo surgery (administered before the anesthesia) to relieve them of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
For other ailments, including arthritis, ginger is also available in the forms of extract, tincture, oils, and tea bags.
Ginger is generally safe for most people, although there are some reported mild side effects. These include heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. It may also cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Some special precautions and warnings for pregnant women are the dangers of miscarriage (when used in the early stages of pregnancy) and the effect it may have on the fetal sex hormones. There are also concerns that it may increase the risk of bleeding, so experts advise against using it close to the delivery date.
Information about its effects on breastfeeding is not adequate, so it is best to be on the safe side and not risk it.
Ginger may increase bleeding, lower blood sugar, and worsen some heart conditions. It also interacts with some medications for blood clotting, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.
As always, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before taking any form of ginger as a supplement or treatment.
Gingerbread or ginger-tea may smell wonderful, but will probably not have enough ginger to be effective, says Dr. Roy Altman of the University of California, Los Angeles. However, a capsule that contains 255 mg of ginger is already equivalent to about a bushel of this root.
It’s very convenient to take, and even the finickiest eaters won’t have to deal with the flavor or aroma. Lynda Brown and Bryan Vargo of Arthritis Foundation advise to initially try a 100- to 200-mg ginger-capsule every day for 4 to 6 weeks to observe its effect on your body, upon the approval of your doctor.The regular dosage though, in whatever form, must not go over 4 grams a day.
Dr. Roberta Lee, Vice Chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, also says that ginger-capsules bring greater benefits than other forms. The best products would be from brands that use a special extraction method, because this produces the purest ginger and will be most effective.
She adds that it would be wise to take the capsules with food, since concentrated doses might upset the stomach.
Ginger powder is easy to store and has a shelf life that can last up to 2-3 years.
Aside from using it as a spice in cooking, ginger powder is usually consumed by making it into tea. Add freshly boiled water to about 1/4 teaspoon of good quality ginger powder for a rejuvenating drink.
You can sweeten it with honey. For even greater convenience, you may now also simply grab ginger tea bags from your favorite grocer.
Ginger powder can also be used to make poultice. This is a tried-and-tested traditional home remedy for body aches and pains. Mix the powder with a little water to make a thick paste. Apply it over the affected area to form a thick coating. You will feel some heat from it. Once it dries, you may wash it off.
You can also make a tincture with ginger powder by mixing it with some alcohol. A tincture is a liquid extract made from one or more herbs, to be taken orally.
10. Treats heartburn
Ginger prevents heartburn or dyspepsia by quickening gastric purging and empowering motility. This was concluded after a randomized double-blind study in Chang Gung University, Taiwan, utilizing ginger-capsules on twenty-four volunteers.11. Treats reflux
The multi-billion “acid blockers” industry has been getting negative feedback about the medications’ unfavorable side-effects. Acid blockers are utilized to treat GERD or gastroesophageal reflux. In spite of the medications’ notoriety, many report uncomfortable side-effects and say that they keep on encountering GERD even subsequent to taking the medication. What are the associated health impacts? To be more particular, these supposed “acid blockers” truly block stomach acid creation – this acids shields our stomach from contamination and breaks down sustenance to encourage the absorption of nutrients.Could ginger be the answer?
Research has demonstrated that ginger is hostile to ulcers and Helicobacter plyori (microbes causing ulcers). It has potent cell reinforcement properties that shield lipids from rancidity and DNA harm. Ginger likewise contains a proteolytic compound a few hundred times more intense than the one found in papaya or papain. This protein, which acid blockers deactivate, decreases the danger of contamination inside the stomach. It also has a wide range of antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic properties.12. Diminishes menstrual discomfort
Ibuprofen and mefenamic acid are the regular partners of many women against dysmenorrhea. A study has proven that ginger is as successful as these two medications in easing menstrual pain. In this clinical trial, a few members took 250 mg of ginger rhizome powder four times each day for three days from the beginning of their menstrual period, while others had 250 mg mefenamic acid or 400 mg ibuprofen on the same protocol. Toward the end of the treatment, all members experienced relief from the treatment without noteworthy contrasts between the solutions.13. Can bring down blood glucose levels
A study by scientists from the Tehran University of Medical Services, Iran, is investigating the active part of ginger in mitigating the danger of complications of diabetes.
In light of the study, ginger-powder supplements appear to have the capacity to enhance fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein An I, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein An I and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetic patients.
14. Prevents non-alcoholic liver disease
A standout amongst the most widely recognized liver sickness is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. This happens when there is an aggregation of overabundance fat in the liver of individuals who drink next to zero liquor. At the point when fat gathering is connected with liver cell aggravation and degrees of scarring, then it develops into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH. NASH is a condition that might form into cirrhosis, which might inevitably require a liver transplant in a few patients. Furthermore, in light of the fact that insulin resistance is a typical element in those influenced by NAFLD and NASH, and a preparatory study has found that insulin production could be enhanced utilizing ginger, further research has been directed by Dr. Amirhossein Sahebkar of Iran about the potential of ginger as a supplement for NAFLD.15. Can bring down blood cholesterol
Ginger is additionally successful in bringing down cholesterol and other lipid levels. A study in 2 cardiovascular centers in Iran has tried patients utilizing powdered ginger versus a placebo treatment. The outcomes demonstrated that taking ginger had fundamentally decreased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and lipoprotein over that of the group taking the placebo treatment.16. Enhances the mind’s psychological capacity
Ginger is additionally a potential psychological enhancer. Because of the role of oxidative prompted psychological debilitation, a study in Thailand has assessed the impact of ginger concentrate on the intellectual capacity of moderately aged women. Members were randomly given a placebo or ginger for two months. They were surveyed for working memory and subjective capacity utilizing modernized battery tests. After the testing period, ginger-treated groups have been found to display higher working memory. It is assumed this was brought about by the cancer prevention agents in ginger.17. Might prevent Alzheimer’s disease
As of now, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Be that as it may, scientists at the College of Public Hygiene of Guangxi Medical University in Guangxi, China, have led a study based on the impacts of ginger-root extract on the behavior of rates with Alzheimers. This study intended to check whether ginger could mitigate the behavioral impacts of Alzheimer’s utilizing a rodent model and the group was able to demonstrate that ginger-root was able to restore the behavior that is broken. In the meantime, another study is investigating utilizing ginger in the improvement of Alzheimer’s medications.18. Protects the body from brain toxicity
MSG, anyone? The controversy shrouding the use of MSG or monosodium glutamate as a common flavor enhancer does not escape many. Although classified by the FDA as a food ingredient that’s “generally recognized as safe,” there have been many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing it. One scientific study in Saudi Arabia has presented data indicating that ginger has a neuroprotective role against MSG-induced toxicity. The results of this study showed that ginger-root extracts have an antagonistic action on MSG, counteracting its negative effect on the monoamines in the brain, which are believed to be crucial in arousal, emotion and cognition.19. Protects against radiation poisoning
The hydroalcoholic extract of ginger rhizome was tested in a study in India for radioprotective effects. It was administered to mice, given orally once daily for some consecutive days before exposure to gamma-radiation. The results showed that pretreatment of mice with ginger rhizome extract diminished the severity of symptoms of radiation sickness. It even reduced mortality as the number of survivors increased in the group pretreated with the extract compared to the group given only double-distilled water.Dosage, Side Effects, and Interactions
Aside from consuming it as a food ingredient, ginger is also prepared in other forms for medicinal use.
It may come in a 250 mg capsule form, usually taken for morning sickness 4 times a day. Bigger doses of 1-2 grams powdered ginger are given to patients about to undergo surgery (administered before the anesthesia) to relieve them of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
For other ailments, including arthritis, ginger is also available in the forms of extract, tincture, oils, and tea bags.
Ginger is generally safe for most people, although there are some reported mild side effects. These include heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. It may also cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Some special precautions and warnings for pregnant women are the dangers of miscarriage (when used in the early stages of pregnancy) and the effect it may have on the fetal sex hormones. There are also concerns that it may increase the risk of bleeding, so experts advise against using it close to the delivery date.
Information about its effects on breastfeeding is not adequate, so it is best to be on the safe side and not risk it.
Ginger may increase bleeding, lower blood sugar, and worsen some heart conditions. It also interacts with some medications for blood clotting, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.
As always, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before taking any form of ginger as a supplement or treatment.
Different Ways to Benefit from Ginger
Consuming fresh ginger isn’t enjoyable for everyone, but fortunately, there are various ways to take advantage of its benefits, thanks to modern technology. One of my personal favorites is adding it to juice or smoothie recipes (more on that later below), as it adds that spicy zing to any drink. Mature ginger possesses a strong flavor and aroma that might be too overwhelming for some. To have that milder taste, use ginger that’s been harvested at 5 months. At this age, it is not yet considered mature—it has a tender pinkish flesh, bears thin skin, and gives a mild yet vibrant flavor. This young ginger is what you get on the side when you order sushi, only it’s been pickled in sweet vinegar. Research shows that gingerols, the major constituents of ginger, are found slightly higher in a fresh rhizome than in its dried form. On the other hand, shogaol, another potent constituent, is found in higher levels in dry ginger. If you’re looking for a warmer and spicier flavor, choose a mature ginger. You can slice or grate it to include in your dishes or let it simmer to make hot tea. According to the researchers at the University of Georgia and Georgia State College and University, a few tablespoons of grated ginger will work to help ease muscle pain caused by exercise. To store it, keep ginger in an airtight container away from heat and light. You can also freeze (and then thaw) it, if you just need the juice for later use.Ginger Capsules
Gingerbread or ginger-tea may smell wonderful, but will probably not have enough ginger to be effective, says Dr. Roy Altman of the University of California, Los Angeles. However, a capsule that contains 255 mg of ginger is already equivalent to about a bushel of this root.
It’s very convenient to take, and even the finickiest eaters won’t have to deal with the flavor or aroma. Lynda Brown and Bryan Vargo of Arthritis Foundation advise to initially try a 100- to 200-mg ginger-capsule every day for 4 to 6 weeks to observe its effect on your body, upon the approval of your doctor.The regular dosage though, in whatever form, must not go over 4 grams a day.
Dr. Roberta Lee, Vice Chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, also says that ginger-capsules bring greater benefits than other forms. The best products would be from brands that use a special extraction method, because this produces the purest ginger and will be most effective.
She adds that it would be wise to take the capsules with food, since concentrated doses might upset the stomach.
Ginger Extract or Oil
The older ginger-root gets, the higher the concentration of its essential oils are. So if you plan to extract the oil, it is best use a rhizome that’s been harvested at 9 months or longer. At this age, the root is pungent and bears a tough skin. Ginger-oil is the result of distilling fresh or dried ginger. Its consistency is thin, and the color is light yellow. The main advantage of ginger-oil over the other forms is that it can be used topically conveniently. In this manner, it can relieve gas (when applied over the abdomen), backache, arthritis, muscle pain, rheumatism, and fractures, as well as stimulate your circulatory system and revitalize your libido (when applied as a massage). 2 or 3 drops of ginger oil may also be inhaled via diffuser, vaporizer, or good ol’ cotton ball or handkerchief to help relieve sinusitis, sore throat, runny nose, and energize your mind and body . Aromatherapists use ginger essential oil to soothe away dizziness, stress, exhaustion and anxiety.Ginger Powder (Make Tea, Poultice and Tincture)
Ginger powder is easy to store and has a shelf life that can last up to 2-3 years.
Aside from using it as a spice in cooking, ginger powder is usually consumed by making it into tea. Add freshly boiled water to about 1/4 teaspoon of good quality ginger powder for a rejuvenating drink.
You can sweeten it with honey. For even greater convenience, you may now also simply grab ginger tea bags from your favorite grocer.
Ginger powder can also be used to make poultice. This is a tried-and-tested traditional home remedy for body aches and pains. Mix the powder with a little water to make a thick paste. Apply it over the affected area to form a thick coating. You will feel some heat from it. Once it dries, you may wash it off.
You can also make a tincture with ginger powder by mixing it with some alcohol. A tincture is a liquid extract made from one or more herbs, to be taken orally.
Adding ginger to juice recipes
Since I love drinking juice, one of my favorite ways to consume veggies is through juicing because it is hands down one of the best ways (blending is another way) of consuming them fresh. This is true for ginger since I doubt that you’ll be able to consume a thumb of it just by chewing. Here are some great ginger juice recipes that you can try at home. Remember all of these recipes will have a spicy kick to them but it’s a good replacement to caffeine if you’re looking for something to replace it. Recipe 1 – Kale Spice A small thumb of ginger-root 2 Kale leaves 1 apple 1 cucumber Half a lemon Recipe 2 – Red Spicy 1 whole beet – include the stem and leaves if possible 1 small carrot 1 medium cucumber Half to a whole inch ginger-root Recipe 3 – Turmeric Anti-Inflammation Juice I found this recipe at the Whole Foods Explorer blog and it contains the following ingredients: 2 lemons 5 celery sticks 1 apple (medium to large) 2 medium or 4 small carrots 6 medium pieces of turmeric 1 inch of ginger 5 sprigs of mint (or a handful of cilantro)Ginger Shots
Prepping for a juice recipe can take 15 to 30 minutes (depending on what you’ll put in) and sometimes we simply don’t have time for that that’s why these recipes are great. These are easy to prepare but still nutritious. Ginger + Lemon + Cayenne Half an inch of ginger-root A pinch of cayenne One whole lemon (if it’s organic there’s no need to peel) This recipe is not for the faint of heart as it packs a lot of heat. Between the cayenne and ginger there is a lot of heat in this juice. Not only is this juice hot, it’s healthy as well, particularly to your gut. Both ginger and lemon contain compounds that help with our digestion. Lemon water in particular in the morning helps in stimulating the gut to produce bile – a substance that our digestive system needs to flush away toxins and waste. If you want to sweeten this, you can add a bit of honey or liquid stevia. Ginger + Orange + Turmeric + Honey- Half to a whole inch of ginger-root
- One whole orange peeled
- Half an inch of fresh turmeric
- One to two tablespoons of honey
- A quarter pound of ginger
- 3 lemons
- A clove of garlic