I am an admirer of ginger. The pungent spicy flavor gives me the added zest for my food that I would never barter for anything. I have learned to appreciate how useful it is also to my health. But only when I had my research into the science behind this simple root do I know the real reasons why it’s just great. Ginger is more than just a kitchen product; it’s a storehouse of health benefits. In today’s blog, I am sharing the top ten scientifically proven health benefits of ginger, all based on scientific research, and why you should add more of this one to your diet.
1. Ginger Helps Relieve Nausea
The moment I knew how much difference ginger could make, one of the first things I learned about ginger is just its incredible ability to help relieve nausea. With morning sickness or a new boat ride perhaps, ginger is always there for me. Studies have proven to validate that ginger is indeed very powerful in relieving nausea and vomiting from pregnant women and patients undergoing chemotherapy. The reason behind this is that ginger contains compounds gingerols and shogaols that interact with receptors in the body, thus inhibiting the feeling of wanting to vomit. I drink a cup of ginger tea or chew on a small piece of fresh ginger when I feel queasy and it works like magic.
2. It Relieves Muscle Ache and Soreness
Being an athlete, besides my passion for engaging myself in exercises, it sometimes pains my muscles, which does not allow me to execute my plans. I came to know about the possibility of ginger acting like a godsend to remove pains resultant from exercises. Research proved that with ginger inclusion within the usual diet, pains due to muscle ache are minimized over time. It’s not at all like a painkiller that would give me immediate relief, but adding ginger to my daily life helped me recover faster after a hard workout. What makes all this possible is the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger, and personally, I find it the most natural and soothing way to deal with ache after exercise.
3. Ginger Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Managing blood sugar levels is very important to the general health, and I was surprised to know that ginger has this ability also. There have been many studies conducted that have actually concluded that ginger is actually effective in lowering fasting blood sugar levels and improving markers of long-term blood sugar control. It works by enhancing insulin sensitivity and meant that my body uses insulin more effectively or rather consumes it naturally and is thus able to regulate blood sugar levels. Adding ginger to my food isn’t just the flavor but rather an added benefit where my blood sugar level is concerned.
4. This Aids In The Treatment of Menstrual Pain
This monthly discomfort, much to my misery, is the worst part of getting pain from your menstrual pain, but ginger has been quite a lifesaver for me. According to studies, ginger may be as good as the prescription medication taken over the counter when the need for improvement in menstrual pain is considered. I normally use ginger tea during my period, where it’s warm, helping alleviate the cramps alot, so I believe that having some ginger can be one of the best natural alternatives to taking pills every month. It’s one of the most practical and scientifically backed benefits that I have personally experienced about ginger.
5. Ginger Aids Digestion
Ever have that heavy, bloated feeling after a meal? I certainly have, and ginger has been the remedy of choice. Ginger hastens the emptying process of the stomach, a very big help when I overfeed or binge. Scientific studies show that ginger helps with chronic indigestion, also referred to as dyspepsia, because it enhances processes occurring during digestion. But sipping ginger tea or adding a slice of fresh ginger to my water always helps improve that uncomfortable feeling of being too full, making my digestion smoother.
6. It May Help Prevent Cancer
The possibility of using ginger to help prevent cancer really caught my eye. Gingerol, the bioactive compound found in great quantities in raw ginger, has anti-cancer properties. I have read many research studies asserting how ginger may aid in the fight against a variety of different cancers, including ovarian, colorectal, and pancreatic. Human-based research remains the only true way of ascertaining this, but there is promising initial evidence. For me, it’s one more reason to include ginger in my diet regularly-after learning that such a natural ingredient helps reduce the possibility of this serious disease.
7. Improves brain function and protects against Alzheimer’s disease
While growing old, I became more conscious of my brain health. In fact, it amazed me when I learned that ginger improves brain function and even protects against age-related cognitive decline. Ginger contains very powerful antioxidants and bioactive compounds that inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain, which reduces cognitive decline and improves memory. Research also indicates that ginger could have a direct impact on boosting the brain’s function, which I am soon eager to experience. Today, I add some ginger to my smoothies or food daily to give my brain that little something.
8. It Relieves Infection
When I used to feel as if I was catching something, I just popped over-the-counter medicines like they were candy. However, when I later found out that ginger contains potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents, I began to use it as a natural way to combat infections. The gingerol, that compound responsible for its medicinal properties, lowers the risk of infection because it inhibits the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and can even combat respiratory infections. This really comes in handy during flu seasons. I have recently realized that adding more ginger in my diet actually helped me lead a healthy life and also gave a quicker recovery if one day I fall ill.
9. Ginger Lowers Cholesterol
I have been trying to take care of my heart very much, and ginger played a lot in this regard as it kept my cholesterol level in check. Available studies demonstrated that ginger decreases the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol, which is a primary risk factor for heart disease. High intake of ginger through diet reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. I really like the feeling where I can enjoy flavors from adding ginger to my foods while taking care of the health of my heart naturally.
10. It Supports Weight Loss
Definitely, weight management has become a problem for most of us, including my self. However, ginger appears to be an essential tool in my mission of weight management. It has been shown that it helps decrease body weight by increasing the rate at which calories are burned and reducing those feelings of hunger. The thermogenic properties of ginger help boost my metabolism, making it easier for my body to burn fat. I find that adding ginger to my meals or drinking ginger tea before a workout gives me that boost of energy and helps me to go on.
Conclusion
Adding ginger into my daily routine did all this change health in many more ways than I ever thought. It helps with nausea and muscle pains, aids in digestion, brain health-there is an endless list of the many ways ginger benefits almost every bit of my body. Science seems to back these benefits and is relatively pretty strong. Being able to have it there in tea, smoothies, or even meals means there’s no reason not to make it a regular part of your diet. I’m sure of that!
