Ginger is a rhizome or a root (Zingiber officinale) of significant culinary value. It is a condiment in Oriental cuisine. There is more than 3000 years of written history of its use in Mediterranean, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. It has also been valued in India, China, and by ancient Greeks for its medicinal properties.
Ginger is still widely grown in India and China. However, it has also been a widely sought-after commodity in Europe. Moreover, its popularity is rising in various cultures as science uncovers its many health benefits. Its pungent smell and many health effects are due to its content of a unique compound, gingerol1.
What are the Health Benefits of Ginger
Till now, most understanding of the health effects of ginger has come from its use in traditional remedies. Such information has been chiefly passed through word of mouth.
However, things are now changing fast, as the herb has become subject to many well-designed clinical studies. What is encouraging is that most studies confirm its benefits. Moreover, studies show that it is highly safe, and thus its use is even allowed in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Helps Digestive Health
Fresh ginger root or ginger powder is widely used in culinary practices not only to enhance food’s flavor. It seems that humans have long known about the digestive health benefits of ginger. They knew ginger was good for boosting digestive processes, improving appetite, and more.
Numerous clinical studies now confirm that ginger is quite suitable for digestive health.2
These findings are really encouraging, as functional gastrointestinal disorders are pretty common. These are gastrointestinal issues that occur in relatively healthy people. It seems that ginger can help in many such instances.
Promotes Joint Health (anti-inflammation and antioxidant)
Ginger is incredibly good for joint health. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it can even help overcome joint pain. There are already a few clinical studies showing that ginger is safe and effective for lowering joint pain.3
What is good is that ginger is also extensively tested for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can modulate inflammatory processes. Thus, it is suitable for treating joint disorders. For example, one of the most extensive systemic reviews that looked into the data of four clinical studies found it to be good for knee osteoarthritis. It can not only reduce pain but also improve knee function.
However, consuming ginger daily is not for everyone. Not all people like its pungent smell. Therefore, for people who cannot consume ginger daily or those living with joint disorders, ginger-containing joint supplements like Zenkgo Advanced Joint Support could be quite helpful.
Helps with Weight Loss
One can also use ginger for weight loss. Studies show it is suitable for metabolic health and promotes weight loss in overweight individuals. It also reduces insulin sensitivity and thus may have a role in diabetes prevention. It has a positive impact on fasting blood glucose levels and may help reduce bad cholesterol levels.4
Reduces Nausea
Ginger is good for reducing nausea and has antiemetic properties. Though anyone can use ginger, it is especially good for pregnant women due to its excellent safety profile. In pregnancy, one may use fresh ginger root, ginger powder, or supplements to manage nausea.5
Lowers Blood Sugar
Metabolic disorders are common these days, leading to multiple health issues like diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, and more. Thus, it is good to consider natural remedies that are good for multiple health issues, and ginger is one such remedy. There is strong evidence that ginger can help reduce blood pressure and help with many other health issues.1,6 It also means that Zenkgo Advanced Joint Support has multiple health benefits and is suitable for regular and prolonged use.
Ginger & Turmeric
When ginger and turmeric join forces, a remarkable synergy emerges, offering a treasure trove of health benefits, particularly for joint health.
Both ginger and turmeric help reduce pain and inflammation. Combining them results in a potent anti-inflammatory effect. If you are unsure how to combine these two wonderful herbs, consider Zenkgo Advanced Joint Support, which has ginger extract and turmeric and other natural ingredients.
The combination of ginger and turmeric is so good for joint pain and inflammation that studies suggest that it may have an effect comparable to certain anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen.7
Summary
Ginger, a versatile root with a rich culinary history, is now being recognized for its numerous health benefits. Traditional remedies and recent clinical studies highlight its positive effects on digestive health, joint health, weight loss, nausea reduction, and blood sugar regulation.
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it particularly beneficial for joint health. When combined with turmeric, another potent spice, they create a powerful duo for alleviating joint pain and promoting overall well-being. Consider incorporating ginger into your diet or using ginger supplements like Zenkgo Advanced Joint Support for a convenient and effective way to enjoy its health benefits.
References
- Bode AM, Dong Z. The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, eds. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Accessed June 19, 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
- Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, et al. Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):157. doi:10.3390/nu12010157
- Rondanelli M, Fossari F, Vecchio V, et al. Clinical trials on pain lowering effect of ginger: A narrative review. Phytotherapy Research. 2020;34(11):2843-2856. doi:10.1002/ptr.6730
- Maharlouei N, Tabrizi R, Lankarani KB, et al. The effects of ginger intake on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight and obese subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(11):1753-1766. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1427044
- Matthews A, Haas DM, O’Mathúna DP, Dowswell T. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(9). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007575.pub4
- Hasani H, Arab A, Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Ghavami A, Miraghajani M. Does ginger supplementation lower blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2019;33(6):1639-1647. doi:10.1002/ptr.6362
- Heidari-Beni M, Moravejolahkami AR, Gorgian P, Askari G, Tarrahi MJ, Bahreini-Esfahani N. Herbal formulation “turmeric extract, black pepper, and ginger” versus Naproxen for chronic knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2020;34(8):2067-2073. doi:10.1002/ptr.6671