Ginger is one of the most used spices in the world, due to its health benefits and beautiful sharp taste. This spice originates from Asia and has been used for many purposes over 2,000 years by various cultures. It’s still one of the most popular spices that the world uses, and we made a list of 10 best benefits that give you the ginger root.
1. Fights Cancer
Today, most people fight cancer, and it’s really frightening that they are in large numbers. Whether it’s your best friend, your family member or you yourself, you need to add ginger to your diet to help you fight cancer. Several studies found out that ginger root helps with fighting lung, ovarian, prostate, colon, skin, breast and pancreatic cancers.
According to researchers, ginger root has anti-cancer properties due to its 6-gingerol compound which is large quantities in raw ginger. The 6-gingerol has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor purposes.
Adding ginger to your diet can help you destroy the cancer cells that are active and prevents them from making new ones. It’s also beneficial for people that use medical treatments for cancer because it prevents the toxic effects of cancer drugs.
2. Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system, and it accounts for 60-70 % of dementia cases that are over 65 years worldwide. If Alzheimer’s runs in your family and you’re afraid that you also may have it, try adding a ginger root more into your diet to help you prevent it.
Ginger helps with slowing down the loss of the brain cells, which leads to Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies also showed that ginger and its compounds prevents inflammatory responses that happen in the brain, and can protect against age-related decline in brain function.
3. Digestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects millions of people. Some of the symptoms are cramps, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and mucus in the stool. People who suffer from IBS can prevent and treat the syndrome with ginger root. According to the studies done in 2010 in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, ginger can help relax the intestines during a blow-up. Also, another study was published made in 2010 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that ginger root helped relieve the symptoms in 53.3% of the participants.
4. Aids Weight Loss
Losing weight is one of the best things that you can do to your body. Being overweight can lead you to heart attack, high cholesterol, stroke, some types of cancers, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you want to lose weight include ginger root into your diet.
Ginger is a natural ingredient that’s been used for fat-burning supplements because it speeds up the metabolism, which leads to calorie-burning. It also keeps you feeling full for longer which will help you reduce your calorie intake. Researchers have shown that ginger root can increase the thermic effect of food that you eat it with, which can result with burning even more calories during the digestive process.
5. Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels
A study that was made in Australia suggests that ginger can control and balance the glucose levels. This is very important because they have a direct impact on weight loss and weight gain as well as how energetic or not you feel throughout the day.
If you are feeling tired and down, it’s from your sugar levels. Adding ginger to your meal will keep you focused, energetic and you’ll finish your tasks.
6. Reduces Arthritic Inflammation
It’s known that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. This was also confirmed in various studies, and one of the most mentioned studies made in 2013 was this one. This also includes preventing diseases that cause inflammations, which counts arthritis in. Along with it, the people who use ginger root to their diet will notice that it helps with pain relief.
7. Clears Sinuses
If you’re looking for sinus relief that doesn’t include going to the doctor for medical prescriptions, use ginger. There’s an active ingredient in ginger that helps the sinuses to unclog them and facilitate drainage. All you need to do is to brew a hot cup of ginger tea and wait for the results.
8. Improves Your Breath
Unlike other foods, ginger helps you improve your breath. You can eat ginger at the end of your meal so it can leave your mouth feeling refreshed. You can consume it like tea, just add ginger powder or raw ginger sliced into hot water. It neutralizes the bad taste in your mouth, and it helps the most with “coffee breath” after drinking coffee.
9. Increases Sex Drive
With an increased functioning of the circulatory system, ginger has been referred to as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years. It works for both sexes, not just males, because it increases blood circulation both in female’s and male’s sex organs. Have fun!
10. Boosts Immune System
If you’re really prone to colds, viruses and infections, ginger can help you prevent and boost up your immune system, so your body doesn’t catch a cold that easy. It’s really important to mention that your diet also plays a strong role into the immune system, your choice of daily food will make you stronger or weaker. Researchers claim that ginger can cleanse the lymphatic system, kill bacteria and flush out the toxins out of your body. One study even found that because of its warming effect, ginger acts as antiviral for treatment of cold and flu.
