Ginger is an herb that is known for its gut health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. Throughout history, it has been used heavily as both food and medicine.
In traditional Ayurvedic, Iranian, and Chinese medicine ginger root was used as a tonic for a number of different ailments ranging from digestive support to colds and inflammation.
Modern research shows that ginger and its phytochemicals may be helpful for gastrointestinal issues, blood sugar stabilization, reducing inflammation, and preventing nausea.
In this article, we will look at the health benefits of ginger, its safety, and its history.
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What is Ginger?
Ginger is a perennial, tropical plant with brilliant reddish-pink flowers. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is native to Southeastern Asia.
Ginger’s Latin name is Zingiber officinale.
Contrary to popular belief, the part of the ginger plant that we use isn’t actually a root. It’s technically a rhizome, which is a part of the stem that lives underground that provides both roots and stem with nutrients.
Ginger has been found to be one of the best herbs high in niacin.
There are over 1,300 species of ginger, some that are interchangeably used with Zingiber officinale, and some that are ornamental. Most varieties share many of the same active constituents as Zingiber officinale.
The ginger rhizome has a stimulating, warming effect on the body and has been used to support the gastrointestinal tract, especially for nausea and upset stomach. It is also commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain.
Modern research supports the traditional claims that ginger has digestive, pain-relieving, and antiemetic effects. Research also shows that ginger can help to balance blood sugar levels.
These various health benefits of ginger are attributed to the various phenolic compounds present in the rhizome, including:
- Gingerol
- Shogaol
- Paradol
Ginger is a well-researched herb with many human clinical trials to support its traditional use. Many of its traditional uses have been scientifically tested (via human, animal, and in vitro trials) and show promising results.
Health Benefits of Ginger:
Below are the top researched-backed ginger benefits for health.
1. May Lower Blood Sugar
The health benefits of ginger have shown promise in supporting individuals with diabetes. In fact, ginger may be one of the best herbs for lowering blood sugar levels, along with other heart healthy herbs such as citrus bergamot and nattokinase.
Diabetes is considered a chronic metabolic disorder defined by persistently high blood glucose levels. Diabetic symptoms occur due to a body’s impaired relationship with insulin. Long-term complications with diabetes can lead to kidney, retina, nerve, and cardiovascular disease.
In a study involving patients with type II diabetes, those that received 1,600-4,000mg of ginger saw a lasting improvement in blood glucose levels compared to the placebo. This improvement was noticed during follow-up sessions, implying that ginger may have the ability to support blood sugar stabilization over longer periods of time.
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