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10 Extraordinary Health Benefits of Ginger You Need to Know

The AHA! Team — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 05:58:31 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Ginger has long been recognized as a flavorful and versatile herb in the kitchen. But you may be surprised to learn that it also has many benefits beyond your favorite culinary creations. If you have ever taken ginger ale to relieve an upset stomach, you probably have some inkling about its effectiveness as a natural remedy. But you would probably be surprised to discover that settling a queasy stomach is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many health benefits associated with this extraordinary herb. Ginger has powerful healing properties It is well-researched, with studies supporting a long list of traditional uses passed down for generations. The use of ginger may support a broad array of antibacterial, antioxidant, and even antiparasitic effects. It has also been credited as an anti-inflammatory agent, opening the door for its potential use in treating many chronic illnesses. Ginger can be consumed fresh, dried, or in extract form. It can also be made with tea or as a supplement. Here are just 10 of the many beneficial uses for this versatile herb: 1. Normalize blood circulation Because it contains the minerals zinc, magnesium, and chromium – which help to improve blood flow – ginger is known for helping to support normal blood circulation. It may also aid in preventing chills, fever, and excessive sweating. In addition, there is evidence from one study that ginger could aid in preventing a heart attack. 2. Prevention of colon cancer According to a University of Minnesota study, the same substance that gives ginger its distinctive flavor appears to play a role in inhibiting the growth of human colorectal cancer cells. The research results strongly suggest ginger compounds may help combat colorectal carcinomas. Other studies have suggested ginger is effective in the battle against several other aggressive cancers, including cancers of the lung, ovaries, breast, pancreatic, prostate, and skin carcinoma. 3. Diabetes prevention There is evidence that ginger may play a role in diabetes prevention. Recent studies have found that ginger is beneficial in preventing and treating the disease, along with its ability to lower blood sugar, fats, and cholesterol. Research also supports the use of ginger for lessening the complications of diabetes and reducing bodily damage caused by the disease. 4. Natural antibiotic There are many reasons to avoid the overuse of antibiotics, from the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the need to maintain healthy intestinal bacteria. Ginger appears to offer a healthier alternative, exhibiting effective antibiotic action. Again, research also supports using ginger as an antibacterial against respiratory and periodontal infections. 5. Anti-inflammatory Many chronic diseases that are the most prevalent in today’s society can be traced to inflammation. Research has shown that ginger can be very helpful in managing the symptoms of chronic illness. It has also been shown to have the ability to inhibit nitrous oxide production and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may affect neurodegenerative diseases. Lessening inflammation could make ginger useful in treating arthritis, prostate disease, cancer prevention, and general inflammation. 6. Detoxification The toxins and impurities in today’s environment are at war with our bodies on a daily basis. Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, GMOs, bacteria, pollutants, EMFs, and the effects of processed food all contribute to diminishing health and aging. However, studies suggest ginger has a preventive effect on many toxins, lessening their toll on the human body. 7. Relief from nausea and gastric distress Your grandmother was right when she served you that old fashion ginger ale for an upset stomach. Research supports the idea that you can alleviate nausea and gastric distress. This herb can also promote a healthy intestinal environment and contains an anti-spasmodic agent to relieve the pain of gastric distress. Other benefits include the relief of motion sickness, nausea, morning sickness and the prevention of ulcers. 8. Protection from radiation Research has shown that you can reduce the negative effects of radiation. For example, some studies suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help to protect against radiation-induced damage to various tissues, including the kidneys, by lowering the risk of oxidative stress and inflammation. 9. Menstrual pain relief A double-blind study found ginger to be as effective at relieving menstrual pain as common over-the-counter remedies, such as ibuprofen. 10. Reduced arthritic pain Studies have shown that ginger is just as effective as commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals at relieving pain due to inflammation of gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. There is evidence it may be even more effective. How to easily incorporate plant medicine into your diet Adding this herb to your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s one of the most versatile herbs for sweet and savory dishes. Whether you prefer fresh, dried, powdered, or extract form, there are plenty of simple ways to enjoy its benefits. Start your day with ginger tea. A warm cup in the morning can help wake up your digestion and support overall wellness. Steep fresh slices of this herb in hot water, or use a tea bag for convenience. Blend it into smoothies: Fresh or powdered form of this herb adds a spicy kick to your favorite smoothie and offers digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits. Try pairing it with citrus fruits, carrots, or turmeric for a powerful nutrient boost. Use it in cooking: Grate fresh ginger into stir-fries, soups, and curries for a burst of flavor and health benefits. It also works well in marinades and salad dressings. Bake with it: This herb can add warmth to baked goods like muffins, cookies, and breads. Combine it with cinnamon and nutmeg for a comforting, aromatic treat. Enjoy ginger shots: For a concentrated dose of ginger’s goodness, try blending this fresh herb with lemon juice and honey for an energizing shot. Make ginger-infused water: Drop a few slices of this herb into your water bottle for a refreshing, subtly spiced drink throughout the day. Sprinkle ginger powder: For an easy way to include this herb in your diet, add a pinch to oatmeal, yogurt, or even your morning coffee. By incorporating ginger into your meals and drinks, you’ll enhance the flavor of your food and reap the many health benefits this powerful herb offers. Enjoy! Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov Medicalnewstoday.com To read the original article click here.

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Lemon-Ginger Cooler Recipe

The AHA! Team — Fri, 30 May 2025 05:34:03 +0000

Recipe by: Ayla Sadler via Dr. Michael Greger & Robin Robertson – Lemon-Ginger Cooler Recipe Recipe by: Dr. Michael Greger & Robin Robertson from The How Not to Die Cookbook You can also serve this scintillating beverage as a hot tea. PREP TIME: 5 min COOK TIME: 40 min TOTAL TIME: 45 min COURSE: Drinks DIFFICULTY: Easy SERVINGS: 2 Ingredients ▢ 2-inch piece fresh ginger sliced ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice ▢ 4-inch piece cinnamon stick (optional) ▢ Date Syrup to taste ▢ mint, for serving (optional) Instructions Combine 4 cups (945 ml) of water with the ginger in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the lemon and cinnamon stick (if using) and set aside for 30 minutes Sweeten to taste with Date Syrup (if using). Refrigerate until chilled. Serve in a tall glass over ice. Add mint if you’re in the mood. To read the original article click here.

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Restore Mental Clarity and Ease Digestive Discomfort with This Soothing “Superhero” Spice in Your Kitchen

AHA Publisher — Wed, 04 May 2022 07:00:31 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – The clean, spicy taste of ginger root adds a lively, refreshing note to sauces, soups, and salads. But this versatile herb – botanically known as Zingiber officinale – has a lot more to offer than merely an intriguing flavor. A staple of the ancient Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese healing systems, ginger has been advised for centuries to address nausea, joint pain, and a host of other ailments. Now, scientists are getting “on board” with the beneficial effects of ginger. In a 2020 review study published in the scientific journal Nutrients, researchers credited constituents in ginger with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties. Let’s look at some of the ways in which soothing, refreshing ginger supports modern-day health and well-being. Calm Nausea and Promote Efficient Digestion With Ginger The queasy, dizzy “green-around-the-gills” sensation of being carsick or seasick can threaten to spoil even the most idyllic road trip or ocean cruise. Fortunately, some scientists believe that ginger can quell motion sickness even more effectively than pharmaceutical anti-nausea drugs – and achieve this without causing toxic side effects. What’s the secret? Ginger appears to quicken the speed at which the stomach empties, which may help decrease nausea, stomach discomfort, and bloating. Multiple reviews and studies have suggested that ginger may help with nausea resulting from chemotherapy (which affects up to 75 percent of all chemo patients). Ginger may help reduce nausea following surgical procedures, as well. Finally, a full 80 percent of pregnant women report experiencing morning sickness, especially in the first and second trimesters. Here, again, ginger may help. In one review involving over 1,200 pregnant volunteers and published in Nutrition Journal, dosages of one gram to one-and-a-half grams of ginger significantly reduced nausea. (Caution: pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and/or clotting disorders, who have had miscarriages, or who are close to giving birth should avoid ginger. Consult your obstetrician before using ginger for morning sickness). Ease Post-Workout Pain With Ginger The main bioactive components in ginger – gingerols, and shogaols – are “key players” in its anti-inflammatory properties. Both compounds have been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory substances in the body, via the COX and LOX pathways. And, for good measure, ginger’s constituents also interfere with the action of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in creating destructive free radicals. In plain English, this means that ginger can promote the health of body systems, such as the circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. Some scientists maintain that ginger may even help soothe occasional soreness caused by overwork or strenuous exercise. For example, in one older (but still influential) controlled study, volunteers performed eccentric actions of the elbow flexors to induce pain and inflammation. The researchers found that daily supplementation with two grams of ginger resulted in “moderate-to-large” reductions in muscle pain, leading the team to call ginger “effective” for this purpose. So, if you’ve ever overdone things in your fitness routine or day-to-day activities, it could help to reach for the ginger. By the way, ginger may also help soothe routine menstrual cramps. Neuroprotective Ginger Can Promote Mental Clarity and Support the Health of Brain Cells With the relentless demands on our time and attention exerted by the modern world, it’s no surprise that many of us experience occasional bouts of impaired concentration, sluggish thinking, and mental fatigue – a state commonly known as “brain fog.” Ginger could be just the thing to lift the “fog” and help restore clear thinking. It appears that ginger inhibits the production of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, crucial to learning and memory). Ginger also helps promote brain health by protecting glial cells, which remove inflammatory debris and toxins from the brain. While more research is needed, one clinical study showed that ginger enhanced attention and cognitive processing in middle-aged women. And, in an animal study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, scientists concluded that dried ginger improved novel objection recognition and enhanced memory. If you feel your concentration and attention are flagging, a revivifying cup of ginger tea could certainly be worth a try. Use Ginger Root Fresh or Dried Fresh ginger root (technically not the root, but the rhizome – or underground stem – of the ginger plant) can be washed, peeled, then chopped, sliced, or grated for use in recipes or beverages. You can make ginger tea by washing, peeling, and thinly slicing an inch or two of the fresh root, then steeping for ten minutes in hot water. Strain, allow to cool, and enjoy – taking small, slow sips. Natural healers advise drinking up to four cups a day. When eaten in the amounts usually found in food, ginger is generally considered safe. Consuming excessive amounts, however, could cause heartburn in some individuals. Dried, powdered ginger is available in convenient capsule form. Natural healers typically advise amounts ranging from 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg a day, taken in divided doses. Of course, we suggest you get the “go-ahead” from a trusted integrative healthcare provider before supplementing with ginger. Bottom line: whether you’re looking for a quick mental “re-set” from brain fog, a drug-free boost of energy or natural relief from upset stomach and nausea, versatile ginger just might be the herbal “superhero” you need. Sources for this article include: Healthline.com NIH.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov FiveStarSeniorLiving.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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