Proven Health Benefits of Ginger Discovered by Grill Heat Aid

Chronic inflammation is a leading culprit that lies behind a number of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.  Ginger contains powerful properties, called gingerols, shoals, gingerdiones, which are rich with antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help to ward off these diseases.  Ginger is also rich with phytochemicals that help aid digestion and settling upset stomachs.  These digestive properties help to stimulate the body’s natural cleansing and the detoxifying process by eliminating waste and toxins.  These properties may also thin blood, improve blood circulation, and prevent blood from clotting.

While the best-researched use of ginger is in combating nausea and vomiting, studies have shown that ginger is a multi-faceted remedy with at least six more healing effects:

• It reduces pain and inflammation, making it valuable in managing arthritis, headaches, and menstrual cramps.
• It has a warming effect and stimulates circulation.
• It inhibits rhinovirus, which can cause the common cold.
• It inhibits such bacteria as Salmonella, which causes diarrhea, and protozoa, such as Trichomonas.
• In the intestinal tract, it reduces gas and painful spasms.
• It may prevent stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

Treat chronic indigestion: Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major driver of indigestion. Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach in people with this condition. After eating soup, ginger reduced the time it took for the stomach to empty from 16 to 12 minutes. In a study of 24 healthy individuals, 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50%.

Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is one of your body’s natural self-preservation functions. Germs, chemicals, and a poor diet can cause too much inflammation and harm your body. Inflammation has become a very common experience for a lot of people. Diet and lifestyle changes may be necessary to fight chronic inflammation. Consuming ginger may help prevent and heal inflammation. One study found that ginger could reduce allergic reactions, in which inflammation can play a role. A small study also showed that people who took daily ginger supplements had less muscle pain after working out. Muscle pain can be caused by inflammation. 

Fights Inflammation: According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, “Its volatile oils have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of  NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which makes it an excellent remedy for flu, headaches and menstrual pains. It can also lower medication intake in osteoarthritis.

Can Reduce Menstrual Pain: Ladies take note! Intake of ginger powder may help significantly to reduce menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea. Ginger is one of the traditional remedies used to alleviate menstrual pain. You can also take a hot cup of ginger tea to bring relief from the pain. 

Lower Cholesterol Levels: Experts have also linked ginger to lower levels of Low-Density Lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol, which are known to increase risk of heart disease. Add this in your daily diet and watch out for effective results. High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the bad cholesterol) are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.

Fight Infections: Ginger, the bio-active compound in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. According to the book Healing Foods, “its active constituent Ginger has analgesic, sedative, antipathetic and antibacterial effects.” Ginger extract has abilities to inhibit the growth of different types of bacteria, especially oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontists.

Reduce Menstrual Pain: Ladies take note! Intake of ginger powder may help significantly to reduce menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea. Ginger is one of the traditional remedies used to alleviate menstrual pain. You can also take a hot cup of ginger tea to bring relief from the pain. 

Brain Health: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can speed up the aging process.  The antioxidants found in ginger can prevent inflammatory responses that may occur in the brain.  These same powerful compounds may also enhance brain function and improve memory.

Support your immune system: You know that spicy, pungent scent-flavor that's ginger's calling card? That's due to gingerol, a compound that has antioxidant properties to help support your immunity. Try sipping ginger tea or making a gingery salad dressing for a quickie health boost.

Reduce risk of diabetes: Diabetes is a huge problem in this country, with 10.5 percent of us afflicted in 2018. What's more, Black Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives suffer from the disease at a higher than average rate, according to the American Diabetes Association. Scientists have linked some active compounds in ginger with improvements in insulin and metabolism. That said, if you're at risk for diabetes, adding extra to sugary gingerbread cookies won't do you any favors! Keep both dried and fresh ginger on-hand for flavoring smoothies and veggie-based stir-frys and soups. While some chemical compounds in ginger may decrease over time, the drying process enhances other beneficial ones.

Settle an upset stomach: The idea that ginger can help with some light tummy trouble isn't new. In fact, research has linked multiple digestive benefits to ginger, specifically acting on parts of your GI tract responsible for feelings of nausea, stomach upset, and vomiting. It may also help move food from the stomach to the small intestine for digestion and absorption. That said, ginger cannot prevent food poisoning or counteract ingestion of a harmful substance, so contact your physician ASAP if something requires urgent medical attention.

Curb morning sickness: And speaking of an upset stomach, pregnant women, in particular, should take note: Ginger may help reduce symptoms of morning sickness! In fact, research supports the safety and efficacy of ginger during pregnancy, with some improvement in symptoms when compared to a placebo. One 2018 study found that moms-to-be who consumed 1g of fresh ginger root per day for four days experienced a significant decrease in nausea and vomiting and no risk for the mother or her future baby.”

Prevent heart disease: The same anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can also reduce the risk of chronic disease. A 2019 review found that ginger can lower blood pressure and decrease blood lipids (fats) levels, both of which help protect against heart disease, and a 2016 review linked regular ginger intake with lower cholesterol and blood sugar compared to a placebo. But just like diabetes, eating ginger can't offset an otherwise poor diet high in saturated fat and added sugar. You'll still have to consume more veggies, 100% whole grains, lean proteins, fish, legumes, and beans in order to reduce your risk.

Lower risk of cancer: The cell-protecting properties of ginger can lower the long-term risk of certain cancers. That's because the spice and other flavorings may reduce cellular activity that causes DNA changes, cell death, and proliferation of cancer cells. It could also help sensitize tumors to treatments like chemo and radiation. While ginger's not a cure-all for any chronic disease, using it regularly with loads of other spices and plant-based foods can help benefit health overall.

Supporting cardiovascular health: There is some evidence that ginger extract may help with cardiovascular disease. For example, one review found that a dosage of 5 g or more can cause significant, beneficial antiplatelet activity. The authors acknowledge that many investigations included in their analysis did not involve human participants or that participant numbers were too small to ensure reliable results. However, they suggest that, with further research, ginger could prove to be a safe form of treatment for cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, one small study found that ginger extract helped reduce the occurrence of heart abnormalities among rats with diabetes. The authors noted that this reduction may stem, in part, from the antioxidant properties of the extract.