It even looks like a grandmother’s recipe, but ginger is really good for the treatment of common problems, such as sore throats and colds. Not to mention the properties it has to fight heartburn, poor digestion and nausea.
All these indications reveal what popular belief already knew: this spice is an expectorant and a gastrointestinal stimulant.
But what few are aware of are its anti-inflammatory effects . For this reason, here you will find all the benefits of the plant, find out if it loses weight and also learn how to use it, making the most of its nutrients.
All this based on the knowledge of nutritionist, Patrícia Diz, who takes the opportunity to warn about the care of the root, especially in cases of patients with hypertension .
Table of Contents
Ginger Benefits
The more natural the root is, the more beneficial it will be for the body. Therefore, always prefer preparations made with fresh spice.
Relieves nausea and nausea
“It can be used to combat some diseases and health disorders, having its pharmacological properties intended for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea , vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, flatulence and gastric ulcers”, explains nutrition professional, Patrícia Diz.
Also according to the expert, ginger also improves motion sickness symptoms. The name may even be strange, but this problem is very common among people, as it refers to motion sickness , characterized by the feeling of nausea while traveling in any means of transport.
All this without mentioning the benefits that this underground stem, or rhizome, as it is also called ginger, exerts during pregnancy, since pregnant women can also enjoy this same natural method to prevent recurrent seasickness in the first few months.
Helps in cancer treatment
In an article published by the Ministry of Health, the effects of ginger in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy were positive. Thus, the root in question is seen as an auxiliary cancer therapy .
“Research has revealed that bioactive compounds in the ginger rhizome, particularly the compounds gingerol and shogaol, have properties that can exert multiple beneficial effects on chemotherapy patients suffering from nausea and vomiting,” adds the nutritionist.
Fights the flu
As it is a tonic and an expectorant, this natural remedy can also be used to treat colds and flu. And, of course, this benefit encompasses the characteristic symptoms of these diseases, such as: cough , hoarseness, nasal congestion, fever, etc.
Treats pain
The anti-inflammatory action of the rhizome is especially felt in treatments for trauma, rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to contributing to the relief of symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. All this thanks to the action of the various components found in the root, such as 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol.
Prevents degenerative diseases
Gingerol and shogaol also work as antioxidants, so they are able to prevent the oxidative stress of cells caused by the action of free radicals in the body. With this effect, ginger prevents premature aging and degenerative diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease.
Ginger loses weight?
According to Patricia, the relationship of this spice with weight loss is due to its pharmacological properties in the regulation of thermogenesis. This means to say that the consumption of this natural product can increase energy consumption in the production and dispersion of heat.
This root “has been proposed as a strategy for weight loss and maintenance , this is due to the improvement in glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity”, says the professional. And to achieve this, just make use of ginger water or your tea.
How and where to use this root?
“Consumption in pharmaceutical forms can be in capsules or tablets containing dry extract, plant drug (rhizomes), fluid extract and tincture. Powdered ginger should be stored in hermetically sealed containers (not plastic), protected from moisture and light, in a dry and cool place”, explains the nutritionist.
Water with ginger
The benefits of this flavored water are those already mentioned in this text, especially the weight loss factor . To prepare it, the nutrition specialist indicates placing 4-cm slices in 1 liter of water and drinking the liquid throughout the day.
Juice
“In the composition of ginger there are spicy compounds that are responsible for its characteristic smell and taste, so some pieces of rhizome mixed with fruit produce a very good result”, he explains. Below you can check the nutritionist’s suggestion of ginger juice with pineapple.
Ingredients
- 2 glasses of ice water
- 4 thin slices of pineapple
- 4 thin slices of peeled ginger
- Mint or basil leaves to taste
- ½ cup (of coffee) of lemon juice.
Preparation mode
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink it right away, without having to strain.
Ginger tea with cinnamon or lemon
According to Patrícia Diz, both cinnamon and lemon can be added to tea made with the roots of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, the scientific name for ginger. In the case of cinnamon stick, it is rich in phenolics and is able to modulate blood glucose and lipid profile, in addition to having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
Lemon, on the other hand, has some of its benefits in the skin, as this outer part has a substance called d-limonene (rich in flavonoids). “These flavonoids have an antioxidant action , which prevents the action of free radicals”, he adds.
There are two ways to make this spice tea, one is using the fresh root and the other the powder. Follow the process below for each of these modes and how to add the lemon and cinnamon correctly.
- Fresh root: place 1 to 2 tablespoons (coffee) of peeled and thinly sliced ginger in 150 ml of water. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat and turn off after the specified time. The recommendation is to consume 1 cup, two to four times a day
- Ginger powder: boil 1 tablespoon of ginger powder in 1 liter of water for just 5 minutes
- Lemon: in this case it can be either the juice or the lemon slices, but in one way or another, it is important to add this ingredient only at the end of the preparation, as the vitamin C present in the fruit is sensitive to high temperatures
- Cinnamon Sticks: Boil a 3- to 4-inch piece of this spice along with the ginger.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can people with high blood pressure drink ginger water?
“People with hypertension should use the rhizome in a controlled way , the increase in metabolism caused by the thermogenic effect of ginger can raise the pressure, if used in excess”, warns Patricia Diz. Therefore, it is advisable to seek a medical opinion before using this natural medicine.
2. Is it bad to eat every day?
The ideal is to eat the preparations with ginger only when necessary, avoiding prolonged consumption . But, “patients who used ginger for a period of 3 months to 2 and a half years had no adverse effects”, says the professional.
3. What are the contraindications and side effects?
First, the nutrition specialist explains that the use of this spice should be banned for children under 6 years old . High dosages, above 12 grams, should also be stopped, as well as the use in patients who are using anticoagulants or with gastric irritation.
“There is evidence that ginger stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and, as a consequence, may compromise the action of drugs used as gastric protectors. In cases of gallstones, use only with the monitoring of a health professional ”, concludes the professional.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.