Ginger Health Benefits and Side Effects of Consuming it
Ginger, the miracle spice has been around for many hundreds of years, and it was well known for its medicinal qualities way back. It is also seen as the healthiest and delicious spice on the planet.
Most people today know it for cooking purposes only, but they don’t realize the health benefits that ginger can bring. Many countries of the world have been using ginger in this way. We are now starting to realize the health benefits that ginger has to offer.
Ginger has been used for health and food. It is used for many health treatments, and is still in use today, as a treatment for bowel and stomach problems. It has been praised around the world in different fields including Ayurveda Medicine and Western Science.
What is Ginger?
Ginger which has its origin in Southeast Asia is a flowering plant. The spice belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and seems to be closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. One can even say that the rhizome (underground part of the stem) is known as Ginger and is used as a spice. It can be used in different forms such as fresh, dried, powdered, or even as an oil or juice. Even it is sometimes added to processed food and cosmetics. So, overall, it is a very common ingredient in our day-to-day life.
Ginger Health Benefits
Ginger has a number of health benefits no matter in what form it is consumed. But most people consume ginger as a part of tea. Ginger tea is very effective, it is not only good in taste but it also relaxes with many problems in cold weather. This tea not only removes stress, but digestive action is also better. The antioxidants present in it are good for health. Some of the other amazing benefits of ginger are:
1. Digestive Properties
Ginger is used to treat motion sickness, and it provides relief during pregnancy and in people who suffer from chemotherapy dizziness. If you have mild upset stomach issues, Ginger Ale can help it. Ginger has also been proven to give complete relief during motion sickness and indigestion issues.
2. Reduces laziness and fatigue
Ginger tea fills energy in the body. Drinking this tea helps in getting out of the ecstatic atmosphere and by consuming it in the morning, your day is full of energy, and you start feeling more active than before. Not only that, but a cup of ginger tea can also disappear during the day’s work, fatigue, and agony. The taste of ginger tea reduces stress and makes you feel fresh.
3. Comfort in nausea
Before going somewhere, drinking a cup of ginger tea will not be vomiting caused by motion sickness. You can also relax with a cup of tea even when you are nauseous. Consuming ginger will make you feel comfortable, and the sense of vomit will disappear.
4. Cold relief
Ginger tea is extremely beneficial for people who have problems like cough and cold-cold in the winter. And if your nose is bleeding due to junk and there is pain in the throat, then drink ginger tea. Ginger juice is warm, and it is also the best natural antibiotic when a cup of hot ghee with a cup of ginger proves to be very beneficial.
5. Relieving respiratory problems
Ginger is quite effective when people suffer from the cold and running nose in the winter season. You can eat ginger every day to get rid of allergic respiratory problems in this season.
6. Better to maintain blood circulation
Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in ginger are helpful in maintaining blood circulation. Thereby, it reduces the possibility of cardiovascular disease. At the same time drinking fat ginger also reduces the fat on the artery. This reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
7. Easy to maintain menstruation
Women who get irritated due to menstrual cramps can consume ginger tea to avoid this problem as it provides warmth to the body. For this, drink half a cup of hot ginger tea. You can also consume ginger tea with honey.
8. Removes toxins from body
Toxins are accumulated in our bodies on a regular basis as a result of many lifestyle issues. Ginger can help us in flushing out all the toxins that are accumulated in our bodies.
9. Prevention and treatment of cancer
Gingerol, which is present in this drink, has the property to destroy ovarian cancer cells. The cancerous cells which are released due to the process of apoptosis are destroyed by gingerol. Dangerous manufacture the DNA of Cancer cells and disintegrate them buy self-destruction. One can quickly treat ovarian cancer and: cancer-consuming ginger ale.
10. Natural anti-inflammatory
The use of ginger is recommended to help go through painful or inflammatory diseases, and effectively combat problems of osteoarthritis, arthritis, or chronic fatigue.
11. Anti-stress
Thanks to the properties that it contains in cineole, ginger helps to reduce anxiety levels, regulates stress states in seasons that suffer from ups and downs, and gives the body a feeling of calm.
12. Cardiovascular relaxation
Ginger produces a warming effect inside the body. This further produces a calming effect. Ginger reduces the blood vessels in the body to dilate, which increases the blood flow in the body. Ginger Ale has anti-coagulation properties due to which blood clots are relaxed within the body. It has also been known to reduce the possible cholesterol level within the organization. Ginger Ale has proven benefits of reduction of heart diseases.
How to Consume Natural Ginger?
There are a lot of ways by which we can consume natural ginger. Because it’s a root, we can consume it fresh or raw, powdered with tea, or liquefied as a drink. Therefore, the different options we have of consuming ginger is by:
- Infusion
- Milkshakes
- Powder
- Food tablets
To make it even more potent, boil it for 10 to 15 minutes and then add lemon juice and honey.
Ginger in Your Diet
You can include ginger in your diet in the form of a ginger powder that too in capsule form or mix it into the water to make a ginger powder drink. You can also sprinkle the ginger powder on your food. Consuming tablespoons of ginger powder in its raw state may cause indigestion, and its taste can be overpowering.
Doctors recommend consuming a maximum of 3–4 grams of ginger extract per day. If you’re pregnant, don’t consume more than 1 gram of ginger extract per day. Ginger is not recommended for children under the age of 2.
Ginger Overdose: What Happens if You Eat too Much Ginger?
No question about it – ginger has natural healing properties and can both stimulate digestion and strengthen the immune system.
Nevertheless, caution is advised with the dosage: The daily dose should not exceed two to a maximum of four grams.
If you belong to the following groups, you should only consume the tuber in moderation, or better not at all:
- People who suffer from heartburn
- People who are about to have an operation
- Women who suffer from menstrual cramps
- During pregnancy
- Stomach problems from too much ginger
A ginger tea after meals can reduce the feeling of fullness and stimulate digestion, but it also ensures that the body produces more stomach acid.
- The result: heartburn. Those who suffer from it more often should omit the tuber or at least only drink a few sips of hot and mild ginger tea.
- Ginger as a natural blood thinner
If you are about to have an operation or have your period, you should also cut down on ginger consumption or, even better, avoid it altogether.
The medicinal plant has a blood-thinning effect. This can have dangerous consequences during an operation, and ginger can also make menstrual cramps worse. Ginger even increases the risk of labor, because of its labor-inducing effects; women are better advised to eliminate ginger from their diet during pregnancy.
If you don’t want to do without it, it’s best to speak to your doctor in advance.
Like every other food, enjoy ginger in moderation.
Using ginger for colds and other ailments is not wrong per se – on the contrary.
The medicinal tuber can help with many symptoms, but, like other foods, should be consumed in moderation. Above all, the risk groups mentioned are better off omitting one or two ginger shots.
Side Effects of Ginger
Each thing along with its benefits comes with some side effects, similarly, ginger has its own side effects.
Side effects of ginger include:
- Increased bleeding tendency.
- Abdominal discomfort.
- Cardiac arrhythmias (if overdosed)
- Central nervous system depression (if overdosed)
- Dermatitis (with topical use)
- Diarrhea.
- Heartburn.
- Mouth or throat irritation.
Ginger is one of the best spices used in every kitchen and is well known for providing one with the best health benefits along with adding up the taste to one’s food. Also, it is best known for providing one with the best benefits for the overall health of the body to stay healthy and fit naturally. Try and add ginger to your diet and you’ll observe the changes in your health.
