Ever wonder why our grandmothers or parents made ginger tea whenever we suffered from health woes? Because ginger has so many medicinal characteristics and health benefits. Ginger is one of the most ancient herbs that people have been using for millennia because of its analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial properties.
Ginger is packed with nutrients and bioactive mixtures that have powerful benefits for our body and brain. This herb can be used as fresh, dried, powdered, oil, or juice. Ginger is often added to processed foods and cosmetics.
Here are 10 amazing health benefits that ginger provides you:
Reduce nausea
Ginger has been used as an effective remedy for nausea for ages. It helps you get rid of built-up gas in your intestines. Although ginger is safe to use, it is better to talk to your doctor before taking ginger for nausea or morning sickness if you are pregnant.
Reduce osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis affecting millions of people across the globe. Osteoarthritis commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine. This disease degenerates the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.
People that use ginger extract experience less joint pain and use less pain medication. A combination of ginger, cinnamon, and mastic, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically.
Lowers blood sugar
Ginger has impressive anti-diabetic properties. It can reduce fasting blood sugar by 12 %. Add ginger powder to green tea if you are a diabetic patient. It will not only help with diabetes but also reduce the risk factors that contribute to heart disease.
Treat indigestion
Ginger is beneficial when it comes to the treatment of chronic indigestion. Chronic indigestion is characterized by persistent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. Ginger speeds up emptying of the stomach in people with this condition. Ginger also helps move food from the stomach to the small intestine for digestion and absorption purposes.
Prevent heart diseases
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger reduce the risk of heart diseases. Ginger can lower blood pressure and decrease blood lipids levels, both of which help protect against heart disease. Regular intake of ginger makes cholesterol and blood sugar levels low.
Reduces risk of cancer
Cancer occurs due to the uncontrollable growth of body cells. Ginger protects the cells and prevents them from growing unnecessarily. It also reduces cellular activity that changes DNA, cell death, and propagation of cancer cells.
Relive period pain
Among other benefits, ginger helps in relieving menstrual pain. Drinking ginger tea can also calm nausea during that time of the month.
Reduce muscle pain
Exercising sometimes make your muscles sore. Ginger works magic against exercise-induced muscle pain. Consuming 2 grams of ginger per day for 12 to 15 days can help people suffering from muscle pain.
Protects against Alzheimer’s disease
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease and decline in cognitive function. The antioxidants and bioactive substances in ginger can hinder the inflammatory responses that occur in the brain. Ginger can boost brain function directly. It also improves the reaction time and working memory of older people.
Fight against infections
Ginger has gingerols, a bioactive compound that helps reduce the risk of infection. Ginger extract can hinder the growth of different types of bacteria, especially oral bacteria that cause gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.