8 Health Benefits of Ginger And Side Effects

health benefits of ginger

What is Ginger

Ginger is a rhizome from the ginger plant. The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is commonly used as a cooking spice because of its fragrant rhizome and warm spicy taste.

The texture of the ginger rhizome is rough, striated, and dense. Depending on the variety, ginger flesh can be white, red, or yellow.

The bark is cream to light brown and thick or thin according to the age of the plant at harvest. Ginger is a cooking ingredient because the gingerol component gives rise to a distinctive aroma and taste.

Referring to Yasmin Anum Mohd Yusof's research in "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology," gingerols are also beneficial for health as compounds with potent anti-inflammatory effects, helping reduce inflammation.

Ginger is also loaded with antioxidants that can prevent stress and inflammation and fight chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and lung disease.

8 Health Benefits of Ginger And Side Effects

Below are ginger's health benefits that are great for you.

1. Maintain oral health

Do you have a problem with oral health? Then try to drink ginger water!

Ginger has an abundant amount of antibacterial power that has benefits for maintaining and improving your oral health.

A study in "Phytotherapy Research" explains that gingerol's active compound prevents oral bacteria from growing.

Oral bacteria is the major cause of oral diseases that lead to gum infections.

2. Prevent ovarian cancer

Do you know that ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women?

This statement is released according to the study by the American Cancer Society. The sad fact is that a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer is about one per 78.

The compounds in ginger have been studied to prevent ovarian cancer. A study in the journal "BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies" shows that the benefits of ginger can stop the growth of ovarian cancer cells.

According to that study, the development of ovarian cancer cells can be controlled effectively by consuming ginger regularly.

Ginger will reduce the inflammation that causes the ovarian cancer cell to perform. The researchers concluded that ginger could also stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the inflammatory reaction.

3. Relieves cough

Do you experience stubborn cough? Then, cure your cough by drinking ginger!

Another health benefit of ginger is to relieve coughs. There are many studies about ginger for cough, and one of the studies is held by the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.

In this study, they concluded that some of the active anti-inflammatory ingredients found in ginger work to relax the membranes in the respiratory tract, thereby relieving coughs.

Ginger helps reduce irritation in the throat and lungs, clears the airways, and relieves dry coughs.

The best way to reap the ginger is by making it into a tea called ginger tea. You can brew some fresh ginger and add some lemon or honey to give it more taste.

4. Reduce the risk of heart disease

Still lazy to add ginger to your daily diet? Listen, according to studies published in the journal "Nutrition," ginger can reduce the risk of heart disease.

The researcher found that daily consumption of ginger can lower the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 13% and hypertension by about 8% in adults.

Ginger contains salicylic, a natural acid that prevents blood clots in heart blood vessels.

To get the anticoagulant effect of natural salicylate, ginger can be consumed fresh or dried regularly. However, research in "PLOS One" explains that the effect of ginger on blood clotting is still unclear.

This suggests that more research is needed to understand ginger's potential blood-thinning properties fully.

5. Relieves pain during menstruation

Do you often experience pain during your period? If yes, you can soothe the pain by drinking warm ginger tea.

Some women often experience pain during menstruation, and that's very common. Some research shows that ginger can significantly reduce the intensity and duration of pain.

This claim is strengthened by a study held by "BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies."

The study reported that taking 1,500 mg of ginger powder daily for three days executively is one of the safest and most effective ways to relieve period or menstrual pain.

In addition, ginger also works to lower the levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are pain-causing hormones.

Besides that, regular ginger consumption has also proven to be effective in helping reduce fatigue associated with premenstrual syndrome, and it helps to make irregular periods regular.

6. Reduce the risk of colorectal cancer

Many studies show that ginger is great for reducing inflammation. Untreated inflammation can develop into cancer.

According to a "Cancer Prevention Research study, " participants who took ginger supplements daily experienced at least a 28% reduction in one measure of colorectal inflammation.

The research is in line with other studies that have proven that ginger effectively reduces colon inflammation and the risk of colorectal cancer.

What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is cancer that begins in the rectum or colon.

Colorectal cancer screening is essential to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer because good screening can detect cases early so that therapy can be more accurate.

7. Prevent diarrhea

Do you have a problem with diarrhea? Ginger works wonders to prevent and stop diarrhea!

This rhizome plant is worked by blocking the toxic bacteria that cause diarrhea, and at the same time, it also works by preventing intestine fluid buildup.

Research from the "Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products" supports using ginger to treat diarrhea, reduce gas, and promote healthy digestion.

Many studies show that ginger effectively cures diarrhea often caused by contaminated food. In addition, ginger helps prevent stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea.

8. Relieves nausea

Do you often experience nausea? Ginger has been centuries used to treat nausea. According to some studies, Ginger is proven effective in relieving vomiting and nausea symptoms.

Ginger can also help with nausea associated with chemotherapy and pregnancy, such as morning sickness.

A study involving 1,278 pregnant women who were asked to consume ginger at least 1 gram to 1.5 grams every day found that pregnant women experienced a significant reduction in nausea symptoms. The study results were then published in the "Journal of Nutrition."

Side Effects of Ginger

Consumption According to the University of Rochester Medical Center publication at urmc.rochester.edu, ginger's most common side effects are heartburn and bloating.

Consumption of ginger of more than 4 grams - 5 grams per day is known to trigger flatulence and disrupt the digestive system.

Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers need to pay more attention before consuming ginger. It would be best to consult a doctor before consuming this aromatic rhizome plant.

Ginger is also thought to alter the effect of blood thinners (anticoagulants). If you want to take ginger but at the same time you are taking blood-thinning medications, please consult your doctor.

Thus the benefits of ginger for health. Pay attention to the amount of ginger consumed. Consuming too much ginger can be harmful to health.

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