GINGER BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES

Ginger is an herbaceous plant of Asian origin belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It appears as a kind of tuber, with a decidedly irregular shape, more or less elongated and lumpy, of variable color between the brownish and the pale yellow.

There are many ginger benefits. It is useful to relieve some gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal swelling and nausea and it is well-loved for its characteristic spicy taste. 

What is ginger good for? Let’s discover together.

Ginger origin

Ginger belongs to the family of herbaceous plants called Zingiberaceae, which include about 52 genera and more than 1300 species.

In nature, it is found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas of the Far East, and today some different cultures and populations take advantage of ginger benefits for medical reasons.

Ginger in the market can be of different nature:

-Fresh ginger: it is undoubtedly the most common and well-known form. Fresh ginger appears as a simple root of irregular and knotty shape, with a characteristic beige color with white flesh.

-Ginger powder: this is the best known, as the ginger powder has been on the market for several years now, and it can be used for several recipes that require the use of dried ginger.

-Essence of ginger or essential oil: this type of ginger can be found in herbalists, or pharmacies, and has mostly medical use.

-Pills or tablets: they can be sold in pharmacies to counter various health problems, including infections, oral inflammation, and also flu and cold.-

-Candied ginger: mainly used in the preparation and decoration of desserts.

Want to know ginger benefits? Keep reading.

Health benefits of ginger

As mentioned above, there are many ginger benefits.

It acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, inhibiting the activity of free radicals and thus counteracting the development of chronic diseases related to cellular aging.

Reduces abdominal swelling after meals, promoting gastric emptying.

It acts as a gastro protector and relieves symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, stimulating the production of mucin, a glycoprotein that protects the gastric mucosa from hydrochloric acid present in gastric juice.

It is an effective method to fight cough, itchy throat, respiratory infections, and also to limit damage from the presence of mucus in the airways. These advantages are mostly related to ginger tea benefits.

It would seem to promote weight loss by reducing inflammation and improving the efficiency of metabolism.

Thanks to inflammatory activity, it can improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Reduces blood sugar levels and certain cardiovascular risk factors.

Despite several ginger benefits, it is important not to exaggerate its use. In fact, excessive intake of ginger can cause stomach pain and heartburn, but also intestinal disorders with flatulence and diarrhea.

Did you already know any ginger benefits? Do you want more nutritional information about it? Contact our knowledgeable nutritionists.