Ginger Season

Winter is without a doubt the season of ginger - from fragrant Christmas sweets and pastries, through fragrant hot drinks and cocktails to post-holiday detox, the popular root has become a mandatory element of the daily menu.

The root is so popular that only avocado can compete for the top spot in the ranking of superfoods.

Why is that? What is hidden in the small fragrant root brought with India from turmeric?

A number of scientific studies show that ginger contains more than 400 chemical compounds, including school, gingerol, ginger, cineole, camphine, phellandrene, and others. But its big secret is the substance gingerol, responsible for the healthy powers of ginger and its specific aroma. It has been found, that gingerol has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help the body in many different ways.

Calm stomach

Modern research has found that the chemical compounds in ginger relieve stomach pain and aid digestion. Ginger has long been used as a means of relieving "morning sickness" during pregnancy. Studies show that the root is a safe and effective way to reduce nausea - 1-1.5 grams of ginger a day can significantly suppress nausea, as in pregnant women, as well as in people with symptoms of nausea and vomiting after surgery or undergoing chemotherapy.

At the same time, the consumption of ginger can significantly improve the symptoms of indigestion. Taking 1.2 grams of ginger capsules before meals have been shown to speed up the stomach without causing discomfort.

Reduces inflammation

An old study shows that people with osteoarthritis of the knee who take ginger extract experienced less pain and use less medication for it. But study participants experienced mild stomach upset due to the higher concentration of ginger extract used by the researchers. So the dose is important here as well.

Therefore, recent research is focusing on the application of ginger extract on the skin of the painful joint. Topical ginger therapies can be effective in reducing arthritis pain without causing side effects.

Lowers blood sugar

Adding ginger to your daily diet can also help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Another study on ginger focuses on this problem. The researchers found that patients with type 2 diabetes who took 1,600 milligrams of ginger powder for 12 weeks had improved insulin sensitivity, lower triglycerides, and lower total cholesterol than the control group.

Reduces the risk of cancer

The root is often considered a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer. Researchers have found evidence that gingerol can help.

Relieves menstrual cramps

When it comes to intermittent pain,

A number of other studies suggest that gingerol may help prevent various seasonal infections. It is particularly effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV). The ginger compounds gingerol and shogaol fight viruses together, to reduce fever, pain, and suppress a cough.

The Health benefits of ginger are very, but in order for them to be felt, it is extremely important what exactly the root will be. When buying ginger, you should choose a fresh root, smooth, hard, free of mold, or dry areas. This is the guarantee for more active gingerol in the menu.

If there is no fresh ginger on the market, then powdered spice is also an option. In this case, the taste and smell will be different - not so pleasant and with fewer health effects. It is good to know that about ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder is equal to 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger.