8 reasons why you should include ginger in your diet

Ginger is among the healthiest spices in the world. It is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds that have great benefits for the body and brain, especially gingerol, a substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

For all these reasons, ginger has been used for a long time in both alternative and traditional medicine. Among the most common uses are: to aid digestion, reduce nausea, and help fight the flu and cold and others.

The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part that is consumed, whether fresh, dried, powdered, or as oil or juice, or sometimes added to processed foods. See some of its main benefits that have already been proven by scientific research.

1. Treat Nausea

There is some evidence that consuming ginger to relieve nausea and vomiting can be as effective as traditional medication. It is widely used, even by cancer patients to alleviate these effects caused by chemotherapy. And also by pregnant women, especially in the prevention of morning sickness – but in this case, it is important to talk to the doctor before consuming, as there may be risks for the baby.

2. Reduce muscle pain

Ginger is effective against muscle pain caused by physical exercise. The effect is not immediate, but it helps to reduce the daily progression of this type of pain, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Help with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common health problem that causes joint degeneration in the body, leading to joint pain and stiffness. Taking ginger extract relieves this pain. And applying a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil also improves stiffness.

4. Prevent heart disease

A recent study showed that daily, fasting consumption of ginger powder can reduce blood sugar levels and markers of oxidized lipoproteins, one of the main risk factors for heart disease, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes.

5. Treating Chronic Indigestion

Chronic indigestion is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach and can be caused by delayed emptying of the stomach. Ginger accelerates this emptying, relieving the problem.

6. Improve menstrual cramps

One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief, including menstrual pain. Taking 1 gram of powdered ginger a day for the first three days of your period helps relieve cramps.

7. Lower cholesterol

Diet is one of the main factors that alters LDL (bad cholesterol), which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Ginger extract can help with this control.

8. Fight infections

Gingerol, a substance present in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections as it inhibits the growth of many different types of bacteria.

Ginger can be used in many recipes, both sweet and savory. You can even add it to juices, teas and even soups. Another feature of ginger is the fact that it is thermogenic, increasing the speed of metabolism. You can bet on ginger!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.