Ginger has been around for at least 3000 years. A flowering plant originating from China, is widely known for being one of the healthiest plants on the planet. It is loaded with vast amount of nutrients that have powerful health and medicinal benefits to your body. Ginger has often been referred to as a superfood due to its superior and tasty qualities. The Rhizome (root) of the ginger plant can be powdered, dried, consumed fresh, or even as a juice. Due to its spicy nature, ginger can also be used to make tea, cookies, gingerbread and a variety of delicacies.
It was used by Indians as a spice and a remedy for various health issues including arthritis, nausea, and high blood pressure. This plant can also be used to make various healthy dishes including tea, savory dishes, and sweets.
But what makes ginger so powerful? Here are some key health benefits of ginger.
Health benefits of ginger
Blood sugar regulation
Ginger’s remarkable ability to regulate blood sugar is one of the most unique health benefits of the spicy root. According to research, ginger assists in promoting healthy blood sugar levels. As a result, this leads to reduction of negative health symptoms caused by high blood pressure. Constant consumption of ginger will help your blood sugar levels stay at balance.
Helps prevent heart diseases
Ginger has the ability to reduce lipoproteins, which are the main cause of heart diseases. For people struggling with obesity, ginger can be a lifesaver. Its ability to reduce cholesterol promotes heart health and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Reduces stomach discomfort
For the longest time, ginger has been used to soothe stomach discomfort. It not only improves digestion, but also helps reduce discomfort and painful stomach spasms. If consumed before meals, ginger reduces the risk of stomach complications. Above that, ginger helps reduce constipation, risk of colon cancer, stimulates bile and saliva production and suppresses gastric contractions.
Cold and flu relief
Drinking ginger tea can help reduce cold and flu. Due to its diaphoretic abilities, ginger keeps the body warm from within by promoting sweating. A cup of ginger tea on a cold day can soothe your body and keep you warm. It is regarded as a natural remedy for colds and flu.
Reduces nausea
Whether it is motion sickness or post-surgery effects, nausea can cause all sorts of discomfort, and it’s not an experience anyone would want to go through. Ginger proves to be a natural way to fight nausea, even during pregnancy and for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Contains antibacterial properties
Research conducted shows that ginger contains anti-bacterial properties that can prove to be a solution to drug-resistant bacteria. It is also used in the treatment of vast microbial diseases. Gingerol, a bioactive substance found in ginger is very effective against oral linked bacteria that causes inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis. Freshly cut ginger can also be used against the RSV virus which causes various inflammatory diseases.
Is antioxidant
Ginger has various immune balancing and tumor-fighting characteristics that help reduce various chronic diseases. Many active components such as shogaol and gingerol are great natural neutralisers of radicals in your body. Shogaol potentially protects the brain from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Helps fight cancer and cancerous cells
Research has shown that certain compounds of ginger extracts caused death to various cancer cells. Ginger has proven to be 10 times more effective than any form of cancer treatment. Its ability to kill various cancer cells not only improves health but also life expectancy.
Apoptosis, a compound found in ginger causes cancer cells to destroy themselves without harming other cells. Anti-inflammatory properties found in ginger also prevent precancerous tumors.
Autophagy, another ginger component tricks cancerous cells into eating themselves.
Significantly reduces menstruation pain
Compounds found in ginger help protect against the increase of inflammation by preventing the body from producing pro-inflammatory chemicals responsible for muscle contractions. Menstrual pain is mainly caused by excessive production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Consumption of ginger can adequately help reduce menstrual pain.
Moreover, ginger may be helpful in reducing dysmenorrhea which is pain during menstruation. Further evidence shows that ginger also helps in reducing menstrual bleeding.
Boosts Cardiovascular health
Ginger lowers cholesterol and prevents blood from clotting. In fact, clogged blood vessels often lead to health issues such as heart attack or stroke. Ginger’s blood thinning properties help prevent heart diseases but it is not advisable to use ginger while on blood thinning medications.
By lowering cholesterol, ginger helps reduce fat in blood vessels that may often lead to clogging.
Recipes Tips. Making ginger a part of your life
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Ginger and Cream sandwich cookies
Ingredients
large egg (1 pcs)
packed light brown sugar (1 pcs)
1/4 cup molasses.
3/4 cup shortening.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
2-1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
2 teaspoons of well ground ginger.
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1/4 cup sugar.
Filling.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
2 teaspoons lemon extract.
2 cups of confectioners sugar.
1/3 cup butter.
3 ounces of cream cheese, softened.
Procedure.
1. First, cream all the shortening and brown sugar until fluffy and light. Then beat in molasses and egg. In another bowl whisk flour, baking soda, ginger, salt, and cinnamon and add into the mixture. Refrigerate overnight.
2. Pre-heat in the oven to 375 degrees. Shape the dough into balls and place 2 apart. Flatten them with a fork and bake for 8-12 minutes.
3. In the end, combine filling ingredients till full and spread them over bottoms of half the cookies.
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Ginger tea
Ingredients.
Freshly cut ginger.
Procedure.
1. Dice the ginger into small pieces.
2. Prepare your tea.
3. Put the diced ginger into your tea and enjoy!
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Ginger smoothie
Ingredients.
1. Freshly cut ginger.
2. Your preferred fruits.
Procedure.
First, blend your preferred fruits into a smoothie. Second, add some freshly cut and diced ginger, sip and enjoy.
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Jumping ginger smoothie
Ingredients.
1/2 cup fresh parsley
lemon, peeled (1 pcs)
avocado, peeled (1 pcs)
apple, cored and seeded (1 pcs)
carrot, cut into chunks (1 pcs)
1 tablespoon flax seeds
kale leaf (1 pcs)
1 inch of fresh ginger root.
2 ice cubes.
Procedure.
Blend all the above mentioned ingredients together until smooth, during just 10 to 15 seconds! And your smoothie is ready to go. It can become your favorite drink to start your day with.
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Spicy lemon Ginger Switchel
Ingredients.
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
1 cup of water.
2 teaspoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper.
4 teaspoons of honey.
1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger.
Procedure.
Place all the ingredients in a glass, add water and stir until smooth.
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