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Ginger is the Root for Good Health

Most people don’t encounter ginger until it’s thrust upon them—usually while sick with the flu or hungover—in the form of a cloyingly sweet soft drink. But there are good reasons it’s worth seeking out the knobby root when you’re not already laid up on the couch. The spice has been used in China and India for centuries for its various healing properties and it’s a revered ingredient in the traditional healing practices of ayurveda. There’s also scientific research going back more than three decades that suggests ginger could be an ally for treating a number of common ailments.

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 Here’s Everything to Know About the Health Benefits of Ginger

When you were a kid, you might have sipped ginger ale to help ease motion sickness or swirled it into your chicken noodle soup to soothe an upset stomach. For centuries, the root vegetable has been used as a home remedy for lots of health issues, ranging from digestive problems to arthritis pain, research shows. But how many of the purported health benefits of ginger are actually backed by science? Could adding it to your tea and stir-fries really provide more than a flavor boost?

Articles of Interest

From arthritis to nausea: five ways ginger could benefit your health

From warming winter teas to zesty stir-fries, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been a kitchen staple. But beyond its culinary charm, this spicy root has a rich history in traditional medicine – and modern science is catching up. Studies now show that ginger may offer a wide range of health benefits, from easing nausea and relieving colds to reducing inflammation and supporting heart health.

From Migraines to Morning Sickness, Ginger Is Being Called a Miracle Spice

Ginger has been shown to have some healing properties that match its powerful taste. It can reduce morning sickness in pregnant women, although it needs to be used in moderation as large amounts are said to induce miscarriages. According to a study published in The Lancet, a British medical journal, ginger is better at preventing motion sickness than most over-the-counter medicines such as Dramamine.

Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a well-known herbaceous plant, has been widely used as a flavoring agent and herbal medicine for centuries. Furthermore, the consumption of the ginger rhizome is a typical traditional remedy to relieve common health problems, including pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Health benefits of ginger and simple ways to incorporate this zesty root into your diet

Ginger's digestive health benefits are largely attributed to the presence of gingerol, a bioactive compound that boosts the rate at which food exits the stomach and moves through the digestive process.

How cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger became the scents of winter holidays, far from their tropical origins

As a plant scientist, I was curious to know how these spices, grown in the tropics, became so closely associated with the Northern Hemisphere’s winter holidays. Just as cranberries’ fall harvest makes them a natural choice for Thanksgiving, I thought that perhaps the seasonality of spice harvest had something to do with their use during the winter months. However, this doesn’t appear to be the case. When it comes to growing spices, producers are playing the long game.

How Ginger Fights Body Fat

Ginger, as a supplement or an ingredient in food and drink, may protect against obesity and chronic disease, according to a new research review. While experts can’t yet recommend a specific dosage for preventive purposes, they say that consuming more of the pungent spice is smart for several reasons. The new review, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, examined the findings of 60 studies, performed on cell cultures, lab animals and humans. Overall, these studies “have built a consensus that ginger and its major constituents exert beneficial effects against obesity, diabetes, [cardiovascular diseases] and related disorders,” wrote the authors from China Agricultural University.

I Drink a Ginger Shot Every Morning—Here Are All the Benefits

Or, better yet, make your own ginger shots at home by simply blending fresh ginger root in a high powered blender. If you go that route, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon, a dash of cayenne, and a bit of Manuka honey for an extra immune boost.

I Took a Ginger Shot Every Morning for a Month and It Transformed My Energy Levels

Okay, clearly, I am sold on ginger. But what does the science say? I spoke to Brea Lofton, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Lumen, to find out. First of all, I asked, what's so great about ginger? “Ginger is considered an antioxidant and may be anti-inflammatory,” Lofton says. “This may help support a healthy immune system.” Apparently, it really can contribute to higher, more sustained energy levels. “Ginger can also help balance blood glucose levels, which can support sustained energy, reduce fatigue, and help with overall mood,” she says. “Blood glucose spikes and crashes can have negative impacts on energy levels throughout the day.”

I've been eating raw ginger for a year, and it's completely transformed my immunity

Clearly, I feel like I’ve discovered the best thing since sliced bread, but the science can also back ginger up. Ginger offers both antiviral and antibacterial properties, which can help support your immune system during the winter months, as Reema Pillai, plant-based dietitian at Dietitian Fit, told us.

Is it true that … ginger shots boost immunity?

Some see the fiery root as a miracle cure for colds, but there are easier, cheaper ways to support your immune system.

The Amazing and Mighty Ginger

Over the last few years, interest in ginger or its various components as valid preventive or therapeutic agents has increased markedly, and scientific studies focusing on verification of ginger’s pharmacological and physiological actions have likewise increased.

The Benefits of Ginger: Separating Fact From Fiction

Many people celebrate ginger as a health remedy. While there’s some scientific evidence to back a few of its benefits, its overall reputation may be overblown. Research shows that ginger can reduce feelings of nausea. And some studies suggest that it can decrease inflammation and lessen pain associated with menstrual cramps. But ginger isn’t a cure-all, and more evidence is needed to know whether it has other health benefits.

The Claim: Eating Ginger Helps Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness

Other studies have shown that consuming ginger before exercise has no impact on muscle pain, oxygen consumption and other physiological variables during or immediately after a workout, suggesting that if ginger does have any benefits, they may be limited to reductions in soreness in the days after a workout.

The Claim: Ginger Can Help Reduce Morning Sickness

Ginger has a long history as a cure for upset stomachs. One of its active compounds, 6-gingerol, is known to help relax gastrointestinal muscles, and research has shown that ginger pills and fresh ginger root can ease seasickness and other forms of queasiness. But when researchers recently analyzed the data on ginger as a treatment for nausea in early pregnancy, the results were not convincing.

Why eating too much ginger, turmeric or cinnamon could interfere with your prescription medication

A sprinkle of cinnamon on your porridge, a pinch of turmeric in your curry, or a dash of ginger in your biscuits – these popular spices are kitchen staples around the world. For centuries, spices haven’t just been used to flavour food but also valued in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for their healing properties. But could something as innocent as a spoonful of spice interfere with your medication?

Why ginger is good for you

Ginger has long been prized for its many health benefits, which include aiding digestion soothing colds and flu.

Women Say Ginger Doesn't Tame Morning Sickness

If you have severe morning sickness, like I do currently, these things do literally nothing. Don't perpetuate the common conception that morning sickness is a mild woman's ailment that needs ginger tea and an 'it'll pass.' For some it is; for many, it isn't.

Resources

Five ways with ginger

Originating in Southeast Asia, ginger has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It’s loaded with nutrients that are said to benefit your body and brain — for example, in the ayurvedic healing system, it’s used to relieve nausea. It’s primarily popular, however, for its fragrance and flavour.

The 5 Main Benefits of Including Ginger in Your Diet

The benefits of ginger include more than just adding a kick of flavor to some of your favorite dishes. As it turns out, the herbaceous plant is commonly used in herbal medicine to help with many ailments (think upset stomach, pain relief, menstrual pain, arthritis, and more).

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

There have been many studies on the use of ginger for health purposes in people, but some of them have not been of high quality.

StatPearls

Ginger root is a plant-based spice used in the personal or professional treatment of medical conditions ranging from gastrointestinal infections to cancer. This spice originates from the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. Despite the advantages, ginger may cause adverse effects in some individuals, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, heartburn, and allergic reactions. These potential adverse effects must be considered, particularly when recommending ginger for therapeutic use.