10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Ginger
Ginger is a powerful little root that can bring a lot of flavor to our lives! There are many different reasons to add ginger to your diet, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you should! Ginger has a lot to offer us in terms of health benefits and flavor and can be enjoyed in so many different ways. In tea, stir fry, desserts, dressings, or however you like to enjoy ginger, you may be surprised to know just how beneficial to your health this spice really is. It truly is a versatile and powerful little spice!
1. Settles Your Stomach
If you’ve got an upset stomach or are feeling nauseous, having some ginger can really help to settle it and get you back to feeling normal again. Gingerol, the main component in fresh ginger, and other compounds in the root give ginger anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce stomach pain!
Ginger may also help to speed up and improve digestion which can help stomach pains in some cases. Having a cup of ginger tea the next time you’re feeling queasy or have an upset stomach may help and is a good alternative to medicines or other commercial ingestible stomach relievers.
2. General Pain Relief
Ginger may help alleviate many different types of general pain or soreness, such as headache, arthritis or joint pain, and even menstrual pain! The inflammatory-reducing properties found in ginger help to reduce pain in the body wherever you may be feeling it, although the effects are most likely going to be less powerful than traditional medicine. If you’re looking for natural relief from general aches and pains, ginger may be a good option!
3. Cure For The Common Cold
Ginger, particularly ginger tea, has been a go-to for combating the common cold for years! It’s a great remedy for several components of the common cold, such as headache, cough, sore throat, and nausea. The anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants in ginger help to relieve many aches and pains brought on by a cold while your body works to fight away the virus or infection. Not to mention, a cup of ginger tea is just so comforting!
4. Immunity Boost
Many of the properties found in ginger, including gingerol, have powerful antioxidant properties that can help to strengthen your immune system. Having a shot of ginger juice each morning can really help to improve your immunity against diseases and infections. Including ginger in your diet is a great idea especially in the colder months of the year when it seems like everyone is getting sick with a cold.
5. Stimulates Circulation
A very surprising benefit of ginger is that it can help to stimulate and improve circulation within your body! Ginger may help to lower blood pressure which allows the blood to flow easier within the body, and improved blood flow can lead to a healthier heart, muscles, and lungs! When your circulation improves, your heart can pump blood through your body easier and your body can more easily fight off disease and infection!
6. Lower Risk Of Diabetes
Another great benefit of ginger is that it can help to manage your blood sugar levels! Gingerol, the main component in ginger, is believed to improve the uptake of glucose (this is sugar!) into your muscles without a spike in insulin levels. This is really beneficial for anyone with high blood sugar levels or anyone trying to maintain lower levels. Having lower blood sugar levels helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, reduces stress hormones, and helps maintain a healthy weight!
7. Helps Fight Infections
Ginger is a great way to naturally help your body fight off and prevent infections! The anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants in ginger are helpful in protecting your body against infections. Just like ginger can help when you’ve got a cold, it can help to prevent the cold! If you include ginger in your diet regularly, and it doesn’t have to be in large amounts, you can improve your immune system and reduce your risk of infection in the future!
8. May Improve Brain Function
Another very surprising and exciting benefit of ginger is that it may help in improving brain function! There are several studies that examine the effects of ginger on brain function and many conclude that it may help to improve brain function directly. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger also work to reduce inflammation in and around our brains! Who knew ginger was so powerful!?
9. Relieves Indigestion
Similarly to how ginger may help soothe an upset stomach, it can help to soothe indigestion! Ginger helps to regulate digestion and the properties found in the ginger root can help to reduce levels of stomach acid, which may lead to indigestion. Having a cup of ginger tea when you’re feeling the effects of indigestion can help to relieve pain and reduce any excess acids in your stomach to prevent it from occurring later on!
10. Lowers Cholesterol
Just as ginger may help to lower blood sugar levels, it can help to maintain healthy cholesterol as well! There are good and bad types of cholesterol, and ginger can help to reduce the levels of bad while increasing the levels of good cholesterol in our bodies! Ginger makes a great supplement for managing cholesterol, or it can be added as a powder or even raw to foods or smoothies.
