Ginger root is a spice from South Asia. Although used in nearly all South Asian cuisines, ginger is well known for adding a complex flavour profile Chinese and Indian dishes.
Ginger root has been used as a healing herb in India and China for at least 5,000 years. The Ancient Romans first imported ginger to Europe, as they prized it for its properties.1
What is ginger root?
Ginger is the root of a ginger plant. Cardamon and turmeric also belong to the ginger family, named after this root. Ginger root is used in various world cuisines as a spice, to flavour both sweet and savoury dishes.
What are the health benefits of ginger root?
Ginger has been used as a for thousands of years. Here’s what modern science has to stay about its properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Ginger root is a potent anti-inflammatory.
Reduce soreness after exercise
A scientific study showed that participants who consumed ginger experienced less muscle pain after exercise than those who didn’t.2
Alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis
Patients with osteoarthritis experienced less pain after taking ginger supplements twice a day, for 6 weeks.3
Lower blood sugar
Ginger may reduce blood-sugar levels in diabetic patients.4
Ginger root for nausea
Ginger root can be highly effective at relieving episodic nausea, including morning sickness.5
Nutritional benefits of ginger root
Here’s the nutritional profile of 6g (1 tablespoon) of ginger root:
- 01 mg of vitamin B6; 1% of your daily recommended intake. Vitamin B6 helps the body process carbohydrates and proteins, then expend them as energy.6
- 01 mg of copper; 1% of your daily recommended intake. Copper Is required for skin health. Copper encourages red and white blood cell development.
- 58 mg of magnesium; 1% of your daily recommended intake. Magnesium encourages healthy hormonal gland function.7
How to include more ginger in your diet
If you want to get more ginger in your diet, you have lots of options. You can take ginger as a supplement or drink a ginger tea for a quick-fix. Health lovers with a sweet tooth might enjoy snacking on chocolate-coated ginger or baking a ginger cake, for a comforting way to enjoy this root’s health benefits.
Those who prefer savoury favours can boost their ginger intake by adding the spice to soups, stir-fries, and curries.
Last updated: 9 October 2020
Sources
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20418184/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11710709/
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277626/
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3995184/
6 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/
7 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/
