Ginger is a traditional medicinal herb used for thousands of years for its spicy aroma and various health benefits. It can boost the immune system, support digestion, improve cholesterol, and relieve nausea and vomiting. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make this natural remedy safe and effective for overall health.
Read on to learn about the impact of ginger on the body, its system-wide effects, and the recommended amount for safe consumption.
What is ginger good for? 9 Health benefits of ginger
Ginger brings a flavorful, spicy touch to food and beverages and helps support a healthy lifestyle. Below are some of the most notable benefits of consuming ginger:
Improves immunity
The body's immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and protecting the body from infections. Ginger rhizomes are an effective herbal remedy to improve the immune system. A ginger root case study finds that gingerol and curcumin components of ginger root act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents to combat free radicals.
Research also finds that ginger extract improves immune function and helps reduce inflammatory response. The positive effects of ginger extract can help our body get a better production performance of the immune system. Vanan Herbal's ginger capsules are rich in gingerol and they don't have any artificial preservatives and flavors.
Prevents inflammatory diseases
Ginger contains specific components, including 6-shogaol, 8-shogoal, and zingerone, that show efficacy against many inflammatory diseases and decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This natural remedy can also decrease NF-κB to prevent the inflammatory response of diseases like psoriasis, making it an effective treatment for diseases in these categories. Chronic inflammation can weaken the immune system, so consuming ginger may help reduce inflammation in the body, allowing the immune system to function more effectively.
Relieves nausea
Ginger is often considered a beneficial herb for nausea and vomiting. Research on its effectiveness in preventing nausea also demonstrates that evidence. Ginger contains many natural medicinal properties, including antiemetic properties, making it a safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. The carbonation in ginger ale helps settle the stomach and ease nausea, but it may take a bit of time for the effects to kick in and fully relieve nausea.
Several studies have found that ginger supplements can help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea, making it a helpful adjunct for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Additionally, ginger may help reduce fatigue and improve overall well-being in some individuals undergoing chemotherapy.
Aids digestion
Traditional Chinese medicine uses ginger to support stomach meridians as it is believed to promote digestion and lessen symptoms of indigestion. Research on ginger in bowel diseases finds that ginger can stimulate digestive juice and help enzymes quickly break down food to absorb nutrients. It turns out that ginger can ease gastrointestinal symptoms and support digestion. Research on the effect of ginger on human health points to ginger’s antiemetic properties, which help protect your stomach and enhance digestion.
A healthy gut is closely linked to a strong immune system, as a significant portion of immune cells reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Ginger promotes digestion and can soothe the digestive system, reducing bloating, nausea, and discomfort. This can enhance the gut's ability to absorb nutrients and improve overall immune health.
Ginger as Anti-oxidants
Ginger is rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, leading to oxidative stress, which can impair immune function and contribute to the development of various diseases. The antioxidants in ginger, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and gingerol, help protect cells from this oxidative damage, supporting a healthy immune response and overall well-being.
Lowers cholesterol levels
Ginger is packed with active ingredients that work to lower plasma lipids and help manage body weight while preventing the growth of coronary disease and lowering cholesterol levels. Even ginger has a more significant lipid-lowering effect than a placebo. A clinical trial on the impact of ginger on lipid levels finds that ginger can more significantly reduce cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein than a placebo.
In the clinical trial, 45 patients took ginger and 40 were given a placebo. The research finds that the ginger group patients have significantly higher changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels than the placebo group.
High cholesterol is often associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, Therefore, maintaining a normal cholesterol level is important for supporting optimal immune health.
As always, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider to manage cholesterol levels appropriately for overall well-being.
Antimicrobial action
Ginger contains several bioactive compounds that contribute to its ability to fight infections, including gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, which possess antimicrobial activity. Its effectiveness in combating a range of pathogens can help protect the body from colds, flu, and other infections, supporting the immune system in its defense against illness. Ginger can be a valuable addition to a holistic approach to preventing and managing infections.
Prevents diabetes
Research on the effects of ginger on diabetic patients finds that ginger contains anti-diabetic properties that can fast blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetic patients. Ginger supplements can significantly reduce HbA1c, Apo B, and FBS levels and increase the Apo A-I level in diabetic patients.
Another research on type 2 diabetes suggests that consuming 1600 to 3000 mg of ginger powder daily for 8 to 12 weeks can lower fasting serum glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients.
Diabetes, particularly when poorly controlled, can impair the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and complications. High blood sugar can interfere with the function of immune cells, increase inflammation, and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections. Therefore, maintaining good glycemic control, a healthy lifestyle, and regular medical check-ups are essential for supporting immune health in individuals with diabetes.
Boosts brain health
Ginger can improve memory, and it has been used traditionally as a natural ingredient for cognitive enhancement. Research on brain damage finds that ginger rhizome extract can enhance memory and protect your brain against damage. Ginger is highly beneficial for women, particularly for their brain health.
In a study, 60 middle-aged women were divided into two groups, one receiving a placebo and the other receiving ginger plant extract at 400 and 800 mg once daily for two months. What’s found is that the ginger-treated groups had decreased p300 latencies and exhibited improved working memory. Hence, they considered ginger to be a cognitive enhancer for middle-aged women.
Ginger’s medicinal usage based on scientific research
Ginger has been the most common dietary for flavoring food for thousands of years. But nowadays, ginger has become a prevalent medicinal herb to treat various ailments, including nausea, colds, hypertension, and migraines. NCBI finds that ginger contains hundreds of compounds, metabolites, and bioactive components, including shoals and gingerols.
These components accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and help prevent colon cancer. The clinical data indicate that ginger extract works better than vitamin B6 to treat vomiting and nausea related to pregnancy, surgery, and even chemotherapy.
What’s more, ginger can also reduce cholesterol and enhance lipid metabolism to decrease the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Another study finds that ginger contains plenty of pharmacological properties, which make it effective for controlling blood sugar levels.
What does ginger do to the body’s system?
Ginger has a powerful impact on our body’s systems. Its consumption promotes efficient digestion, helping food move through the gut more quickly and preventing it from lingering long enough to cause nausea. In fact, studies show that ginger speeds up gastric emptying and supports antral contraction in healthy individuals, making it especially helpful for those with digestive symptoms.
It also contains the digestive enzyme zingibain, which helps food move faster through the digestive roots to aid digestion. It boosts the body's growth of digestive enzymes.
According to another study, ginger promotes contractions to help food move faster through the stomach for better indigestion.
Research on animals finds that spices, including ginger, help increase the production of digestive enzymes like lipase and amylases in the body’s system to keep the body healthy.
Is ginger good to take every day? The safest dosage
Ginger is safe for most people to eat in average amounts, particularly in food and recipes. However, higher doses, particularly in supplements, can cause bleeding. Hence, it's wiser to consume the recommended amount of ginger to enjoy its health benefits and avoid side effects.
Though ginger is safe and recommended, the perfect dosage varies from individual to individual based on specific health conditions. A study on NCBI found that 250 mg and 1g one or four times daily is the most recommended dosage. However, the Food and Drug Administration states that a person can take up to 4 g of ginger root daily.
Ginger can be consumed in plenty of ways for a healthy lifestyle, including whole and capsule. If you want safe ginger capsules from a certified and trusted brand, you can choose Vanan. Research also finds that one can consume up to 1000 mg of dried powdered extract of ginger daily.
Final say
Ginger is mainly used to treat nausea and vomiting. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it effective for various diseases, including osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and migraine headaches. However, to enjoy the maximum benefits, you need to maintain an accurate dosage and amount of ginger. In this case, choosing Vanan Herbal’s ginger capsules can be a smart idea to boost your immune system and strengthen digestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What infections does ginger cure?
Laboratory studies have found that ginger contains antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial agents, which make it effective in curing bacterial and fungal infections. These properties protect the body‘s system from Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, responsible for many diseases and intestinal infections.
Is it reasonable to chew raw ginger?
Chewing raw ginger has many benefits, including reducing heartburn. Chewing raw ginger prevents the stomach from producing too much acidity, which lessens heartburn.
What is the best time to eat ginger?
Ginger is best eaten on an empty stomach in the morning. However, it can also be consumed before meals or throughout the day for its digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Is eating ginger on an empty stomach good?
It is better to eat ginger on an empty stomach as its digestive properties stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. This practice helps with better digestion throughout the day.
