Unlock The Power of This Super-root and Feel The Difference It Can Make In Your Life

By CANDICE GREY

ConsumersCompare.org

Update: Jul 16, 2024

Ginger has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and its unique, light, refreshing taste. It has been used to treat various ailments, from nausea to inflammation, and to add flavor to dishes. Recent studies have shown that ginger is packed with powerful components such as gingerol, found in fresh ginger, and shogaol, found in dried ginger. These components have been found to be more potent than some pharmaceutical medications, including Dramamine, chemotherapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the dangerous side effects. Ginger is also closely related to turmeric, another natural health enhancer. Keeping ginger regularly stocked in your home is a great choice for your health, since it is a powerful natural medicine and a delicious addition to many dishes.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant

Ginger has been found to possess powerful anti–inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, making it a great tool for combating serious and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. Its anti–inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation in the body and its antioxidant capacity helps to prevent, slow, or even stop the progression of these diseases.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation in Arthritis

Consuming gingerol on a regular basis can help to reduce pain and inflammation, improve movement, and even prevent muscle pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have found that 6–gingerol inhibits the production of reactive free radicals, cytokines, chemokines, and other inflammatory compounds. According to George Mateljan in World’s Healthiest Foods, two studies involving patients with arthritis found that 75% reported relief from pain and swelling. A study published in the November 2003 issue of Life Sciences showed 6–gingerol inhibits the production of free radicals. Additionally, a study from the Feb 2005 issue of Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that ginger could prevent the formation of pro–inflammatory compounds in the lining of the joints, cartilage, and immune cells. Furthermore, ginger is effective at preventing muscle pain, stiffness, and inflammation from exercise.

Cancer Fighting Properties

In her article, “Ginger and Cancer,” Kelley Herring of US Wellness Meats discusses the powerful effects of ginger on cancer. Studies have shown that ginger contains a compound called 6–shogaol, which is more effective than the chemotherapy drug Taxol in killing cancer stem cells, even at a 10,000X increase. Additionally, gingerols, a component of ginger, have been shown to be active against the growth of colorectal cancer cells and to kill ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, ginger has anti–inflammatory properties, which can reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer due to inflammation. Unlike chemotherapy, ginger does not have harmful side effects, and cancer cells exposed to ginger do not become resistant. Overall, ginger has been shown to be an effective cancer–fighting agent and an excellent preventative measure for women of childbearing and menstruating age.

Fights Nausea

Ginger has been widely recognized as a helpful digestive aid, particularly for nausea and motion sickness, outperforming even Dramamine, the leading medicine for motion sickness. It is especially beneficial to pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, even the most severe form, hyperemesis gravidum. The great advantage of ginger is that it does not come with the potential birth defects like other anti–nausea remedies. However, caution should be taken by pregnant women taking ginger as higher doses may increase the risk of miscarriage. Additionally, ginger is beneficial for post–surgery patients and chemotherapy patients who experience nausea and vomiting from standard cancer treatments.

Maintains Healthy Blood Sugar in Diabetes

As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, research into natural substances that can help manage this serious and widespread disease is also increasing. One such natural remedy is ginger, which has demonstrated promising anti–diabetic effects in various studies. In a study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, it was found that ginger consumption had a positive impact on glycemic status, lipid profile, and other inflammatory markers associated with diabetes. Specifically, ginger reduced fasting glucose, HbA1C, insulin resistance, triglycerides, overall cholesterol, C–reactive protein, and prostaglandin E2. The researchers concluded that ginger should be considered as an effective treatment for preventing diabetes complications. Another study revealed that ginger consumption resulted in a 12% decrease in fasting blood sugar, a 10% decrease in HbA1C, a 28% decrease in the ApoB/ApoA–I ratio, and a 23% reduction in markers for oxidized lipoproteins, which are major risk factors for heart disease—one of the primary complications of diabetes.

Fights Heart Disease and Strokes

Research has shown that consuming ginger can help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering the ApoB/ApoA–I ratio. This ratio is a more accurate measurement than cholesterol ratios to estimate the balance between different types of blood lipoproteins, which are involved in the formation of arterial plaques. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in May 2000 showed that mice given ginger experienced a 44% reduction in arterial plaques, a 27% reduction in triglycerides, a 53% reduction in VLDL (the most harmful type of cholesterol), a 33% reduction in LDL cholesterol, and a decrease in LDL oxidation and aggregation. The findings of this study suggest that regularly consuming ginger may help to slow down the development of atherosclerotic lesions, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Alzheimer’s and Brain Function

Ginger and turmeric have both been linked to a potential reduction of the risk of Alzheimer‘s disease. Research on the disease has found that inflammation is a factor, and both of these spices contain compounds like curcumin and gingerol which have been shown to not only inhibit, but also reverse the amyloid plaques in the brain. Additionally, ginger‘s antioxidant zingerone has been found to neutralize peroxynitrite, another major factor in Alzheimer‘s and other neurological diseases. Studies have even gone so far as to suggest ginger can reverse dysfunctional behaviours caused by the disease and dementia. Moreover, ginger functions as a barrier to acetylcholinesterase, similar to Alzheimer‘s medications, with fewer side effects. Acetylcholine is essential for learning and memory, and ginger has been found to improve cognitive ability and overall brain function, while also reducing oxidative stress. Additionally, ginger is a stimulant, helping to increase mental alertness without the jitteriness of caffeine. Finally, ginger helps to protect and reduce the toxicity of MSG, a common ingredient in many processed foods which has been linked to Alzheimer‘s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson‘s disease, and ADD.

Anti-Clotting

Ginger has been found to be effective in reducing platelet aggregation, which is the clumping together of platelets that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and deep vein thrombosis. If you are taking any kind of medication for this condition, it is important to check with your doctor before adding ginger to your diet.

Burns Fat and Raises Metabolism

Ginger is known to be a fat burning food, as it helps to boost your metabolism and fat burning potential. Studies show that consuming ginger can increase your metabolism by 5% and your fat burning potential by up to 16%. Additionally, it can act as an appetite suppressant, so drinking a cup or two of ginger tea before meals can help to reduce the amount of food consumed.

Ginger is highly regarded for its beneficial effects on a variety of health issues, such as:

The potential health benefits of mint include: boosting immune function, relieving pain, decreasing the impact of toxic chemicals, treating non–alcoholic fatty liver disease, protecting cells from radiation, preventing migraines, aiding digestion, fighting gum disease, freshening breath, and increasing energy.

How to get ginger’s benefits?

Ginger is a flavorful and versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Fresh ginger root is the best source of gingerol, while dried ginger contains more shogaol, which has cancer–fighting properties. When cooked, the main active ingredient in ginger is zingerone. Adding fresh or dried ginger to smoothies, brewing tea with simmered, sliced ginger and a touch of lemon and honey or maple syrup, mincing ginger and adding to salad dressings and marinating meat in soy, lemon, minced ginger and garlic, and adding ginger to stir fry are all great ways to enjoy ginger. You can also opt for ginger tea bags or take ginger supplements in the form of capsules.