Ginger is probably one of the world's favorite medicines and cooking ingredients. A perennial herb native to China and India, ginger root has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and for its therapeutic properties.
Its many varieties are grown throughout Asia, Australia, South America, Jamaica and the US Its delicate green leaves resemble baby spinach, they can be eaten in salads, but the roots of the plant, called rhizomes, are where they lie. the benefits of ginger root.
Ginger properties
Raw ginger is used in both cooking and herbal medicine. Consuming ginger can help limit nausea and dizziness and can help treat arthritis by decreasing inflammation. It also contains small amounts of fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals, but due to the small amount typically consumed in any one meal, it is unlikely to greatly affect nutrient intake.
Vitamins
Eating 1/4 - cup of ginger would provide 2 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-6 and vitamin C, as well as smaller amounts of niacin, riboflavin, folate, thiamine, and vitamin E. Vitamin B-6 is needed for metabolism, immune function and red blood cell function, and vitamin C is important for wound healing and limiting damage to cells by free radicals.
Macronutrients
A quarter cup of ginger contains 19 calories, 0.2 grams of fat, 0.4 grams of protein, and 4.3 grams of carbohydrates, including 0.5 grams of fiber. A more common serving size of 1 teaspoon contains only 2 calories, and is half the recommended limit for daily ginger consumption.
Higher consumption can cause heartburn, stomach upset, and diarrhea and can interfere with certain medications, including blood thinners, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medications.
Minerals
While a quarter cup of raw ginger only provides very small amounts of iron, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, it contains 3 percent of the daily value for magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is used for metabolism, building protein, and muscle and nerve function, and potassium helps lower blood pressure levels and keep heart and digestive function in top condition.
Ginger benefits
The benefits of ginger are innumerable, the subject has been addressed in our articles in many ways, but we will briefly describe some of these benefits below.
1. Speeds up metabolism by burning body fat
Based on research, ginger has been shown to help burn fat by enhancing the weight loss process. The dietary intake of ginger, among other spices, has been found to boost fat digestion and absorption while consuming high-fat diets. It is because ginger increases bile secretion and stimulates the activity of pancreatic lipase, and at the same time, facilitates energy expenditure to prevent the accumulation of absorbed fat.
2. Relieves high blood pressure
The quality of Ginger to keep the body warm, improves and stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles that surround the blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood through the body.
3. Reduce gas
Ginger is a very strong carminative, which means that it induces excess gas to leave the body. Too much gas built up in your system can put pressure on the delicate organs in your torso. A carminative like ginger pushes the gas down and out in a healthy way, and it also prevents the extra gas from building up again.
4. Prevents cancer
One of the most interesting developments in the discussion of ginger and its impact on human health has been the positive correlation between its organic compounds and cancer prevention. The gingerols, those same compounds that give ginger its anti - inflammatory properties, has also been shown to prevent carcinogenic activity in the colon that can lead to colorectal cancer.
This is another way that ginger benefits the gastrointestinal system, making it a perfect addition to the side of every meal. However, more recent studies have also linked these gingerols to apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, thus reducing tumors and the growth of cancer cells, without harming the healthy cells around them.
5. Detoxifies and disinfects
Ginger is good for promoting sweating in those who eat it, which is always a good thing, in moderation. Not only does sweat clean your pores and allow your body to flush out toxins through fluid, but research has also shown that sweat includes a germ-fighting compound called dermicidin .
Ginger has been positively linked to reducing bacterial and viral infections in a person who sweats regularly, as it can create a glow on the skin, a protective layer of previously unknown proteins.
6. Menstrual cramps and migraines
Cramps are the body's way of warning of some kind of danger or harm. In this case, prostaglandins, which are hormones that function as chemical messengers, are the main triggers of symptoms such as cramps, aches and pains, and fevers.
Scientists believe that high levels of prostaglandins contribute to increased menstrual cramps. Ginger helps by reducing the levels of prostaglandins in the body, thus relieving cramps.
7. Reduce flu symptoms
Ginger has been prescribed to fight disease and infection for centuries. Its calming effect helps reduce the body's emergency symptom responses to damaged cells. While white blood cells work to mend cells and defend against disease, they also act as a barrier to high levels of prostaglandins that induce fever, headaches, and cramps.
Other health benefits of ginger currently under investigation are its role in reducing heart disease, arthritis, migraines, depression, and curing stress-related anxiety disorders.
Ginger can sometimes have side effects for those who suffer from gallstones, as the herb encourages bile to leak out of the gallbladder. Therefore, if this type of condition is expected, or if you have a history of gallbladder conditions, it is best to consult a doctor before consuming this spice.
8. Treat nausea
Ginger has been widely shown to prevent and treat dizziness, relaxes the stomach, and relieves the feeling of nausea. Certain studies conclude that ginger helps cure nausea related to pregnancy, dizziness, and chemotherapy. Its rapid absorption and rapid regulation of body functions cures nausea without the side effects of modern medications.
9. Lowers blood sugar and increases insulin release
Research at the University of Sydney in Australia found that ginger is effective in controlling blood glucose for people with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the journal Planta Medica, showed that ginger extracts can increase the absorption of glucose into muscle cells without using insulin, so it can help in managing high blood sugar levels.
Several other studies have also established ginger to have a preventive effect against the complications of diabetes. Ginger can protect a diabetic's liver, kidneys, and central nervous system and reduce the risk of cataracts, a common side effect of the disease.
10. Helps in digestion
Ginger is perhaps the best herb for digestion. Helps break down protein to rid the stomach and intestines of gas. It also helps in the digestion of fatty foods.
11. Keeps the heart in optimal condition
High in potassium, manganese, chromium, magnesium, and zinc, and famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger has been used for years to treat heart conditions. In Chinese medicine, the therapeutic properties of ginger were said to strengthen the heart, and ginger oil was frequently used to prevent and treat heart disease.
Modern studies indicate that compounds in the herb work by lowering cholesterol, regulating blood pressure, improving blood flow, and preventing blocked arteries and blood clots - all of which help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
12. Strengthens the immune system
It is a wonderful stimulant of the immune system, making it a well-known treatment for colds and flu. And since it helps ease the symptoms of upper respiratory infection, it also works for coughs, sore throats, and bronchitis.
Cleanses the body's micro-circulatory channels, including bothersome sinuses that swell during colds. Drinking ground ginger with lemon and honey is a popular cold and flu remedy that has been passed down for many generations, both in the East and the West.
It also has thermogenic properties, so it can warm the body in the cold, and more importantly, it can promote healthy sweating. This type of sweating, which helps detoxify the body and aids in the release of cold symptoms, has also been shown to fight bacterial and fungal infections.
Recent research in Germany found a potent anti-germ-fighting agent contained in sweat, which they named "dermicidin." This is manufactured in the sweat glands of the body, secreted in sweat, and carried to the surface of the skin, where it works to provide protection against bacteria such as E. coli and fungi such as Candida albicans.
13. Lowers LDL cholesterol
Studies show that ginger can lower cholesterol levels by reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the blood and liver. Its extract can help reduce the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body, which reduces the risk of developing heart disease.
14. Powerful antioxidant: delays DNA damage
Many studies around the world have found that this rich spice contains powerful antioxidant properties, which help protect lipids from peroxidation (rancidity) and DNA damage.
Antioxidants are extremely important as they provide protection against free radicals, helping to reduce the various types of degenerative diseases that come with aging, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and more.
Although all spices are known to be powerful antioxidants, ginger appears to be extra-powerful. It contains 25 different antioxidant properties on its own. This makes it effective in fighting a variety of free radicals, and in different areas of the body.
The use of ginger
How to choose ginger
Whenever possible, choose fresh ginger over the dried form, as it is not only superior in taste, but also contains higher levels of gingerol, as well as active protease (its anti-inflammatory compound). Fresh ginger root is sold in the produce section of markets. When buying fresh ginger root, look for a root with firm, smooth skin, mold-free, and with a few possible twists and shoots. If it's wrinkled, it's dry and woody inside.
Young or mature
Ginger is generally available in two forms, either young or ripe. The mature, the most widely available type, has tough skin that requires peeling while the young, usually only available in Asian markets, does not require skin removal. To remove the skin from fresh ripe ginger, remove the skin with a kitchen knife.
How to cook and consume ginger
Ginger can be cut, minced or julienned. The flavor it imparts to a dish depends on when it is added during the cooking process. Added at the beginning, it will give a more subtle effect.
By combining the complementary flavors of sweet ginger with the spicy flavor of garlic it not only adds a wonderful flavor, its antiviral qualities are an excellent remedy for colds and flu.
Made in the form of tea, it induces sweating, which helps fevers run their course. It also tones and helps boost the immune system. For a cup of tea, place about five or six thin slices of ginger root in the hot water. Add the lemon and sweetener if desired (it can be honey).
Fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator in a ventilated container for up to three weeks if left unpeeled. Stored unpeeled in the freezer, it will keep for up to six months.
If your gum have begun receding, you may have periodontitis or gum recession, which is gum disease that can destroy the bones and tissues attached to your teeth. See a dental professional as soon as you notice changes in your gums. In the meantime, you can use some at home products to stimulate your gum growth.