Ginger is a tropical flowering plant cultivated in Southeast Asia but is now grown in all regions. The ginger plant is a member of the Zingiberaceae family.
Ginger root is a rhizome. We have been using it as a spice and healing aid for thousands of years. Ginger adds a unique flavor to every cuisine, and it is also full of nutritional value. Ginger is an essential ingredient in traditional medicine for treating stomach issues, cold and flu symptoms, menstrual cramps, muscle and joint pain, and burns.
Ginger root pulp can be red, yellow, or white, depending on the variety of plants grown. It can be eaten fresh, dried, or powdered as a spice. Ginger essential oil is a significant component of many cosmetics due to its magical properties.
Health benefits
Ginger is a magical plant and has a very long list of health benefits:
- One of the most crucial natural oil of ginger is gingerol. It is responsible for gingerās most medicinal properties.
Gingerol has prominent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help curb oxidative stress from free radicals. It also has protective effects against many cancers such as breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer.
Gingerol can lower the chances of getting an infection by inhibiting the growth of many bacteria in our system.
- Ginger helps relieve various types of nausea like morning sickness in pregnancy, chemotherapy-related nausea, and nausea after surgery.
- Ginger escalates the burning of extra calories and has a very positive effect on weight loss.
- Ginger effectively reduces the symptoms of osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation and stiffness in joints.
- Consuming ginger improves hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. So it lowers blood sugar levels in the long term.
- Ginger accelerates the emptying of the stomach. So it is beneficial for people with chronic indigestion and other stomach-related problems.
- Ginger significantly reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol. Thus it is good for our heart health.
- Ginger fight against oxidative stress and inflammation that accelerate the aging process. So it protects our brain from age-related damage (Alzheimerās disease and decline in cognitive behavior).
Ginger is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds that make it a superfood. It is an ingredient of almost all Indian cuisines, such as curries, pulses, pickles, tea, and non-vegetarian dishes. So, add this miraculous rhizome to your food to relinquish its numerous health benefits.