I love growing ginger! It’s one of those super easy-to-grow plants that is not only beautiful, but it is so useful! Ginger has so many uses, from cooking to helping with ailments, and it’s so simple and easy to add to your diet. Here are 9 of the top health benefits of this amazing spice:
1. It’s Anti-inflammatory
Did you know that ginger contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body and help ease pain? Ginger contains over 400 natural compounds, and some of these are anti-inflammatory. There are studies underway to help determine if eating ginger has any impact on conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or respiratory inflammation which would be amazing!
2. It helps aid digestion
Ginger is known to help with digestion by increasing digestive juices and enzymes in the stomach and reducing inflammation in the gut. I drink it each morning by grating it and squeezing the juice into a glass of water! Delicious and beneficial!
3. Nausea Relief
Many people already know about the benefits of ginger for nausea relief. I often take it if I feel under the weather, and my cousin takes it for her seasickness. It has also been seen to be useful for other types of travel sickness. Ginger has also been known to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, particularly in people undergoing chemotherapy or surgery.
4. Immune booster
Ginger contains antioxidants that help boost the immune system and protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
5. Pain relief
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce pain and swelling in the body, making it a natural pain reliever. Because ginger helps relieve nausea and vomiting, it can help your body cope better as the nausea and other side effects can often make the pain feel worse.
6. Heart health
Ginger has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels, which can help to improve heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
7. Respiratory health
Ginger has been shown to have antimicrobial properties that can help fight respiratory infections and promote healthy respiratory function. Ginger is an amazing natural antibiotic that can help you fight respiratory infections and promote healthy respiratory function.
It contains several phytochemicals, such as gingerols and shogaols, that have been shown to inhibit and kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria that ginger can fight include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It may also help reduce inflammation and pain associated with sore throats, so you can do things such as drink ginger tea to help soothe your throat and help boost your immune health.
8. Menstrual cramp relief
Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for menstrual cramps for centuries, and studies have shown that it can be effective in reducing pain and discomfort associated with menstruation. Ginger contains a phytochemical as mentioned previously called gingerol which can help reduce the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause uterine contractions and pain during menstruation. It can also help combat bloating, fatigue and nausea.
9. Anti-cancer properties
Some studies have shown that ginger may have anti-cancer properties, particularly in reducing the growth and spread of certain types of cancer cells. It does this by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and helps reduce inflammation within the body. It also can help suppress the expression of genes and proteins that promote cancer! How amazing!
So, you can see that adding ginger to your diet can provide many health benefits and is a great way to promote overall wellness. It is a natural and tasty spice that can add flavour and health benefits to your diet. Consuming ginger not only seems to be beneficial to your body, but it is also a tasty and yummy addition to your overall diet.
Side note: Ginger is generally safe for most people, but it may interact with some medications or cause side effects in some people, so it is always advisable to consult a doctor if you are taking any medications or have any other medical conditions.