Ginger is a well-loved, tried and tested spice revered for many health benefits throughout the aeons. You’ll find it mentioned in ancient texts and has been prized by many different cultures for as long as mankind can remember. Ginger is zingy and warming, with a zesty flavour and aroma. It comes in yellow, white and red varieties. We use the underground rhizome part of the plant. In this article, we are going to look at why ginger is good for you and why we should all be eating it!

Gingers’ incredible healing effects put it right at the top of my list of go-to plant foods for medicinal purposes. However, apart from being good for detoxification and cleansing, it can also turn salads, desserts, bakes and juices into delicious, lively food. In this article, not only are we going to look at why ginger is so good for you, but we’ll also explore how you might incorporate it into your daily diet.

So why is ginger so good for you?

1. Exceptional antioxidant content
2. Remedy for nausea and motion sickness
3. Relieves flatulence and acts as a great digestion aid
4. Anti-cancer benefits
5. Powerful anti-inflammatory
6. A natural expectorant to help coughs
7. Promotes healthy circulation
8. Helps to warm you up when you are cold
9. Effective detoxification aid
10. Healthy sweating
    

1. It has exceptional antioxidant content

An antioxidant is a molecule that is able to inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation can damage cells in our bodies. In extreme cases, damage of cells can lead to cancer and other serious illness. The good news is that antioxidants work by eliminating the free radicals caused by oxidation, hence preventing damage. Ginger is literally loaded with antioxidants!

2. Ginger is a remedy for nausea and motion sickness

This powerful spice is an excellent natural remedy for motion sickness, morning sickness or nausea, and with good reason. It has a long history in this area, having proven its effectiveness at reducing dizziness and nausea. The active ingredients in ginger are potent, so you don’t need very much of it either. This feisty spice has a reputation for being safe for pregnant women too, making it a great remedy for morning sickness.

3. Relieves flatulence and acts as a great digestion aid

This fiery spice acts as a carminative (prevents flatulence) and an intestinal spasmolytic (which means that it soothes the intestinal tract). This makes it excellent at soothing digestive disorders and calming down flatulence.

4. Ginger has anti-cancer benefits

Studies suggest that gingerols, the active phyto-nutrients in ginger are helpful against cancer cells. The major down side, is that most of the studies involve animal testing.

5. Powerful anti-inflammatory

Various studies on people with inflammatory disorders and diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis have shown that ginger has a powerful anti-inflammatory action. Gingerols are the primary active anti-inflammatory agent of this spice and have very potent effects when eaten regularly.

6. Ginger is a natural expectorant to help coughs

Eating ginger regularly helps us to release mucus.

7. Promotes healthy circulation

Ginger stimulates the tissues with the body, whilst lowering the blood pressure. This all encourages healthy circulation. Furthermore, it prevents platelets from clumping together in the bloodstream, which thins the blood, lowering risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots.

8. Ginger helps to warm you up when you are cold

Gingers’ circulatory, perspiration-inducing and stimulation properties mean that it can also warm you up when you are cold. So, when your body starts getting cold during the cold weather, bring more ginger into your daily cuisine and enjoy the naturally warming effect.

9. Effective detoxification aid

Ginger promotes healthy sweating, which helps the release of toxins. Add in its exceptional antioxidant qualities and other benefits, and then you have a top detoxification food.

10. Benefits of healthy sweating from ginger

As well as the natural detoxification benefits of healthy sweating, scientists have recently found that sweat contains a substance called dermicidin – a powerful germ-fighting agent. Dermicidin is deposited on the surface of the skin which protects us against invading micro-organisms.

Recipes with fresh ginger…

Here are some of my best recipes using fresh ginger. This is an idea way to incorporate fresh ginger into your daily cuisine…

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