Health benefits of Ginger

Health and Fitness

Ginger is among the
healthiest (and most
delicious) spices on the
planet.
It is loaded with nutrients
and bioactive compounds
that have powerful benefits
for your body and brain.
Here are 11 health benefits
of ginger that are supported by scientific
research.

1. Ginger Contains Gingerol, a
Substance With Powerful Medicinal
Properties
Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from
China.
It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is
closely related to turmeric , cardomon and
galangal.
The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is
the part commonly used as a spice. It is often
called ginger root, or simply ginger.
Ginger has a very long history of use in various
forms of traditional/alternative medicine. It has
been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and
help fight the flu and common cold, to nam
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as
an oil or juice, and is sometimes added to
processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very
common ingredient in recipes.
The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come
from its natural oils, the most important of which
is gingerol.
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in
ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal
properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant effects.

Ginger appears to be highly
effective against nausea
( 2).
For example, it has a long
history of use as a sea
sickness remedy, and there
is some evidence that it
may be as effective as
prescription medication ( 3 ).
Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting
after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing
chemotherapy ( 4, 5).
But it may be the most effective when it comes
to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning
sickness.
According to a review of 12 studies that included
a total of 1,278 pregnant women, 1.1-1.5 grams
of ginger can significantly reduce symptoms of
nausea ( 6).
However, ginger had no effect on vomiting
episodes in this study.
Although ginger is considered safe, talk to your
doctor before taking large amounts if you are
pregnant. Some believe that large amounts can
raise the risk of miscarriage, but there are
currently no studies to support this.

Bottom Line: Ginger is a popular spice. It is
high in gingerol, a substance with powerful
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
1-1.5 grams of ginger can help
prevent various types of nausea. This applies
to sea sickness, chemotherapy-related nausea,
nausea after surgery and morning sickness.