AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger is a flowering plant and its official name is Zingiber officinale. The rhizome, which is the root is what you are likely familiar with. The root is spicy and have a peppery flavor, with loads of medicinal properties. It’s used all over the world in culinary and clinical applications—both for good reason. 

Ginger has been called a super food time and again,  what is it that makes it so powerful? This root has the following superpowers; 

Stimulates Digestion: 
Ginger helps increase the body’s ability to empty food from the stomach more quickly—known as gastric emptying. With this increased motility in the digestive system, it’s less likely that heartburn or indigestion will occur. 

 Lowers Blood Pressure:
Ginger has been shown to improve blood pressure (in conjunction with medication) by acting as a vasodilator—it expands your blood vessels. This is helpful for increasing circulation in the body, which reduces the overall blood pressure throughout the body. Ginger also contains potassium, a mineral that research has found can help lower blood pressure 

 Reduces Nausea:
Nausea is no fun. Whether it’s from motion sickness, morning sickness, post-surgery effects, chemotherapy, or pregnancy, nausea is not an experience anyone wants. And when you do experience an upset stomach, you’d give anything to end it. Ginger has also been found to reduce the amount of nausea you might otherwise experience when seasick. After surgeries, it’s common for some people to experience nausea and vomiting. The good news is that researchers have found ginger to be an “effective means for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting.” Not only does ginger provide relief from post-surgery nausea, it can also help people who have been diagnosed with cancer. 
In a study of both adults and children undergoing chemotherapy treatments, ginger was found to be effective in providing relief from the nausea that accompanies those treatments. Based on the scientific evidence, ginger is definitely worth a try when you’re experiencing nausea of any kind.

Antibacterial Properties:

If you aren’t convinced of the medicinal properties of ginger yet, you will be now! Researchers have found that ginger is an effective antibacterial for many drug-resistant bacteria in clinical applications. The antibacterial benefits don’t stop there. In oral health, two types of ginger have been shown to inhibit the growth of pathogens that contribute to periodontists (inflammation of the gums that is caused by gum bacteria). The antibacterial properties that ginger possesses show that food truly is medicine. 

 Reduces Menstrual Pains:
Many women know how debilitating menstrual pain can be. Even though there are over-the counter pain medications dedicated to this specific pain, but ginger is your best bet. 


STEPHANIE E. HEMEN