Trendy food for weight loss and sugar reduction
This plant has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine for thousands of years, as well as in gastronomy. Due to its many properties, it is today considered a superfood.. Originally from Southeast Asia, ginger – the root of a flowering plant which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, like turmeric or cardamom. Has a spicy taste and aroma, with intense citrus and fresh notes. It is perceived as slightly sweet and, among its many properties, has the ability to lower blood sugar levels.
Known in the West for hundreds of years, globalization has made it possible to popularize the use of ginger around the world, so that it is easy to find in any supermarket or grocery store. The main producers are still in Asia, in countries such as China, India, Nepal or Bangladesh.
He Ginger can be taken in different ways: fresh, dry, powdered… It is used primarily in gastronomy, but also in cosmetics, as it has a large number of health benefits. These properties are due primarily to one of its most important components: gingerol. Gingerol is an essential oil that gives ginger its spicy taste. and it is the active compound responsible for most of its medicinal properties. Moreover, it contains many other nutrients as in its raw form it is rich in minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium or phosphorus and some vitamins such as C, B2, B3 and B6.
Gingerbread cookies don’t usually leave much of a mess. / Pixabay
Properties of ginger
The properties that make ginger popular in dishes and pharmacopoeias all over the world, according to Dospharma experts, are the following:
1. Anti-inflammatory. Like medications such as ibuprofen, gingerol suppresses the production of postaglandins, substances that cause an inflammatory response in the body. Therefore, it may be useful for combating menstrual cramps or intestinal inflammation.
2. Analgesic. Gingerol has an analgesic effect, which makes it useful in the fight against migraines and headaches. It also reduces the symptoms of certain diseases, such as osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis caused by wear and tear of the cartilage that surrounds the bones of joints, causing stiffness and pain.
3. Antibacterial. Helps destroy infectious microorganisms such as E. coli, staphylococcus or salmonella. In addition, it is also effective against bacteria that appear in the mouth and cause diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
4. Antioxidant. Ginger is very rich in antioxidants, molecules that stop cell damage. For this reason, it is widely used in the cosmetic industry as it helps slow down aging and reduce cell damage. Fights bad breath. Again, gingerol is key because it stimulates an enzyme found in saliva that helps break down odorants. This improves the smell of your mouth. It can be obtained by grating some ginger and adding it to water.
5. Anticoagulant. Platelets are cells that prevent bleeding. They do this by creating a clot in the bleeding area, which blocks blood flow while the wound heals. However, these clots can be dangerous if they form inside a blood vessel, as they can prevent blood from flowing to the rest of the body. Ginger slows down the blood clotting process.
6. Promotes digestion and helps with nausea and dizziness. Gingerol is a pungent substance that stimulates salivation and gastric acid secretion, thereby aiding digestion. It acts in the stomach and intestines to prevent gas and nausea. Therefore, people who suffer from motion sickness, that is, who feel dizzy while traveling, can benefit from it. On the other hand, there is no consensus on its consumption to relieve nausea in pregnant women, so it is always recommended to consult a doctor first.
7. Fight bad breath. Again, gingerol is key because it stimulates an enzyme found in saliva that helps break down odorants. This improves the smell of your mouth. It can be obtained by grating some ginger and adding it to water.
8. Promotes expectoration. It has properties that combat nasal congestion and many cold symptoms (cough, phlegm…).
9. Helps lower blood sugar levels. Recent studies show that it increases insulin levels and helps lower blood sugar levels. In principle, this property helps control weight, but this does not mean that ginger is a medicine for diabetics. There are no studies confirming its benefits against diabetes. Therefore, it is very important for diabetics to always consult their doctor before consuming ginger frequently.
Precautions when consuming ginger
Like everything in this life it is recommended take ginger in moderationbecause excess can be counterproductive and its consumption can even be harmful in certain health situations. If you are pregnant, have hypertension, take anticoagulants, suffer from gastritis or irritable bowel disease, or have diabetes, it is best to consult a specialist before use..