9 health benefits of ginger consumption

Petra Kopecká

Ginger is one of the healthiest and most delicious spices in the world. It comes from China and is literally full of nutrients and bioactive components that have an amazing effect on our body and brain.

1. Ginger contains gingerol

Its use as a natural remedy has a very long history. It was most often used to support digestion, against nausea and to treat the flu.

Gingerol is a substance with a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Excellently reduces pain. If we have painful inflammation in the body, ginger tea is an excellent solution, because by heating and standing, the positive effects increase even more.

2. Ginger against nausea

In several studies, ginger had the same effects as prescription medicines for nausea. It is an excellent supplement for people with cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy and are often ill. It is also very popular among pregnant women because it is one of the most effective natural remedies against morning sickness. According to a study in 1,278 pregnant women, the effective dose is 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger.

3. Reduces muscle pain

High effectiveness of ginger has also been shown in muscle fever. In order for ginger to be effective, it is necessary to consume 2 grams of ginger. The disadvantage is that the effect is not immediate.

4. Helps with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a very common health problem. It involves degeneration of the joints, which leads to pain and stiffness. In a study of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, great success was seen in ginger treatment. People felt much less pain and required a smaller dose of medication.

5. It lowers blood sugar and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

This area of research is relatively new, but it is estimated that ginger has excellent antidiabetic effects. In a recent study (2015) where there were 41 participants with type 2.2 diabetes, ginger a day reduced blood sugar by 12%. In addition, a 23% lower incidence of markers for oxidized lipoproteins (the main factor for the development of cardiovascular disease) was found.

6. Helps with digestion

If you feel that food lies in your stomach for hours after consuming it, then reach for ginger. It was found that 1.2 grams of ginger before meals accelerated gastric emptying by half!

7. Reduces menstrual pain

A study of 150 women showed that if women took 1 g of ginger for the first three days of their menstrual cycle, its effects were comparable to the most commonly used painkiller, ibuprofen.

8. Ginger lowers LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol ("bad") is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The diet we eat has a significant effect on LDL cholesterol levels. During a 45-day study involving 85 people, consuming 3 grams of ginger significantly reduced LDL cholesterol. Other interesting research has shown that ginger is as effective as the known cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin. Both studies also showed a decrease in total cholesterol and triglycerides.

9. It has anti-cancer effects

These effects are attributed to the substance gingerol. Already two grams of ginger have had excellent results when used in people with colon cancer. Further studies have confirmed positive effects in pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancer.

Other confirmed effects include improved memory, reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease, helps fight infections (slows down the growth of many types of bacteria).

Source: Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10793599

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