By Dr. Mercola
Ginger has been used medicinally for centuries and in the US is perhaps best known for its ability to soothe nausea and upset stomach.
Without a doubt, this is the best remedy I know for nausea. You don’t need much, just a piece the size of your fingernail finely chop and swallow. It is exceptionally effective.
But now, new research shows that this natural root can help with much more, including pain relief from arthritis, heart health and asthma sufferers, with ginger possibly boosting the effects. use of the bronchodilators commonly used to treat their condition. It can even be helpful for weight control!
Ginger is anti-inflammatory and can relieve pain
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties have made it a valuable tool in pain relief for centuries. In 2001, research showed that ginger oil helped reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis.first
And earlier this year, a study found that female athletes who took three grams of ginger or cinnamon per day (less than a teaspoon) experienced significant reductions in muscle soreness.2 Ginger has even been shown to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving menstrual pain in women.3
Furthermore, the pain-relieving potential of ginger seems to be far-reaching. For example, along with helping with muscle and joint pain, ginger has been shown to reduce the severity of migraines as well as the migraine drug Sumatriptan – with fewer side effects.4
Ginger helps treat asthma symptoms
Another recent study, presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference, found that adding ginger compounds to isoproterenol, a class of asthma medication known as a beta agonist , enhanced its bronchodilator effect.
Conventional asthma treatment usually includes a nonsteroidal bronchodilator, an anti-inflammatory substance that you breathe in that causes smooth muscle cells in your lungs to relax.
This helps open your airways. If that doesn’t work, the next step is usually an inhaled steroid, a very powerful anti-inflammatory.
Part of the explanation for ginger’s benefits for asthma is its powerful antioxidant activity, which is attributed to ingredients like gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones. These compounds are believed to have distinctive anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Since ginger enhances bronchiectasis, it could provide a much safer alternative, or at least an adjunct, to drugs currently on the market that are desperately needed. Although asthma is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated, asthma medications themselves have serious, even deadly, side effects.
For example, the common asthma medication Advair contains a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) salmeterol, which may actually increase in severity asthma attacks as well as the risk of dying from asthma problems.
The drug used in the study, isoproterenol, has also been linked to the fatal asthma epidemic that occurred in the 1960s, while conventional asthma treatments have also been found to increase the risk. heart disease, cataracts and osteoporosis. some additional risks.
If you have asthma, I recommend looking into the Buteyko Method, which teaches you how to return your breathing volume to normal or, in other words, to reverse what is known as chronic hyperventilation or hyperventilation. chronic excess. When breathing is normal, you are better able to oxygenate tissues and organs.
Ginger cures nausea and motion sickness
Ginger is great for your digestive tract, as it is both an expectorant (prevents bloating) and an antispasmodic (meaning it prevents spasms by soothing your gut). If you struggle with motion sickness or nausea (due to pregnancy or chemotherapy, for example), ginger should be a staple in your diet. From research:
- Taking one gram of ginger a day can help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, and ginger has been shown to work better than a placebo at reducing morning sickness.5
- Daily ginger supplementation reduces the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea6
- Ginger can help reduce vomiting and other symptoms of motion sickness7
Ginger may be helpful for diabetics
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, listen. Ginger appears to be useful both in the prevention and treatment of this condition, through effects on insulin action and release, and improving carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. According to a comprehensive review, one study found that after consuming 3 grams of dried ginger powder for 30 days, participants with diabetes experienced significant reductions in blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and cholesterol. LDL cholesterol.8 Ginger is thought to have a positive effect on diabetes because it:
- Inhibits enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism
- Increase insulin sensitivity and release
- Improved lipid profile
Ginger also has a protective effect on diabetes complications, including protecting the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and eyes of diabetics.
Ginger promotes satiety and helps control hunger
Adding another benefit to this wonderful warming spice, ginger has been shown to enhance thermogenesis and reduce hunger, offering a potential role in weight management.9 Like cayenne pepper and turmeric, ginger can temporarily increase thermogenesis in your body, where your body burns fuels like fat for heat, with obvious beneficial effects on metabolism. substances and fat storage. Research shows that consuming thermogenic ingredients can boost your overall metabolism by up to 5 percent and increase fat burning by up to 16 percent.ten It may even help combat the drop in metabolic rate that often occurs during weight loss.
Even Than Reasons to eat ginger…
Ginger has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antiparasitic properties, to name a few of its more than 40 pharmacological effects.11 According to research compiled by GreenMedInfo,twelfth ginger can also helpful for:
- Improved cognitive function in middle-aged women13
- Protection against respiratory viruses14
- Reduce dizziness15
- Enhances digestion and absorption of fats16
- Protects against the harmful effects of environmental chemicals, such as parabens17
Over the past decade, researchers have also found that ginger can provide powerful cardiovascular benefits by:
- Prevention of atherosclerosis
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Prevents oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Finally, the study was published in British Journal of Nutrition18 demonstrated in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of ginger, suggesting that it may be effective in controlling prostate cancer.
How to use ginger?
If you’ve never used fresh ginger before, you might find the dark brown root a bit intimidating – but it’s incredibly easy to use. One of the simplest ways is to cut a few inches of ginger root and steep it in hot water to make fresh ginger tea. You can also use a knife to peel the tubers and then thinly slice (or mince them) to add them to tea or cooking dishes.
Unpeeled, fresh ginger can be stored in your refrigerator for at least three weeks or in your freezer for six months or longer, making it incredibly easy to hold in your hand. Experiment by adding fresh ginger and other warming spices, like cinnamon, to a cup of tea in the morning, evening, or after a meal… and see if you notice any health benefits. I just described no.
