Ginger is one of my favorite ingredients. I use it in all kinds of things from marinades for meat and fish to stir-fries and desserts to tea. So you can imagine I was happy to discover scientific research shows this fabulous ingredient is not just big on flavor, but also provides therapeutic properties. I’ve always known ginger settles the tummy including gas, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn not to mention calming the intestinal tract. However, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties including gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, and paradol, whatever that is. As a result, ginger water can assist in many areas of health. Here’s how ginger helps improve your health and a refreshing recipe for ginger water to get your daily dose. (1, 2)
Ginger Powder as a Pain-Killer
Researchers claim that ginger consumption may be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen), based on past studies.
University of Georgia researchers have found that ginger reduces muscle pain caused by exercise. Their results were recently published in the Journal of Pain. They compared the effect of taking ginger capsules to ”dummy” placebo capsules on muscle pain. Volunteers took either raw ginger, heat-treated ginger or placebo capsules for 11 days. The volunteers performed strenuous arm exercises on the eighth day, and the researchers assessed their pain level and various measures of inflammation during the final three days. (10)”
Why Not Just Use OTP Pain Killers?
According to NutritionFacts.org there was “one study in particular that freaked everyone out: A study of thousands of marathon runners found that those taking over-the-counter pain killers before the race had five times the incidence of organ damage. Nine were hospitalized—three with kidney failure after taking ibuprofen, four with gastrointestinal bleeding after taking aspirin, and two with heart attacks, also after aspirin ingestion. In contrast, none of the control group ended up in the hospital. No pain killers, no hospital. What’s more, the analgesics didn’t even work. “Analysis of the pain reported by respondents before and after racing showed no major identifiable advantages” to taking the drugs, so it appeared there were just downsides.
What about using ginger instead? In a marathon study, the most common adverse effect of taking the drugs was gastrointestinal cramping. Ginger, in contrast to aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs, may actually improve gastrointestinal function. For example, endurance athletes can suffer from nausea, and ginger is prized for its anti-nausea properties.”
Using Ginger As An Anti-inflammatory
Ginger decreases inflammation, providing relief from inflammatory diseases like arthritis. In fact, ginger performed just as well as diclofenac, a drug commonly prescribed to treat osteoarthritis. Not only is it effective, but it is also safer. (3)
Ginger For Potential Breast Cancer Treatment
According to research, ginger-derived 6-shogaol killed breast cancer monolayer cells and spheroids. The results raise hopes for a potential aid in the treatment of breast cancer. The effective amount needed is non-toxic to healthy cells, a big benefit as a potential treatment. Common treatments for breast cancer tend to cause harm and terrible side effects. (4)
Ginger For Pain
Ginger can also assist in pain relief for osteoarthritis patients. One study found a highly purified and standardized ginger extract reduced symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Ginger also provided migraine relief just as effectively as the drug sumatriptan. After just two hours, the severity of the headache decreased, and adverse effects were reduced. According to the American Pain Society, taking raw and heat-treated ginger daily provided moderate-to-large pain reductions in exercise-induced muscle injury patients. (5, 6, 7)
Ginger To Boost The Immune System
According to the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, ginger extract:
- Enhanced thyroid gland in males
- Enhances red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels in male smokers
- Enhances immunoglobin levels in non-smokers
As well, the study shows stronger antibody response could fight against infections in those with enhanced immunoglobin levels. (8)
How To Make Ginger Water
It takes just a few simple ingredients to create a refreshing drink to enjoy throughout the day. In just an hour, this yummy ginger water is ready to strain and serve. (1)
Ingredients:
- 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root or 3 drops of high-quality ginger essential oil
- 3 cups of purified water
- 1/2 lemon
- Raw, organic honey to sweeten to taste if desired
Steps:
- Finely grate the ginger.
- Add 2-3 cups of water and lemon juice.
- Add raw honey to taste if you wish to sweeten your water.
- Leave the water at room temperature for an hour.
- Strain out the ginger and chill or drink at room temperature.
As mentioned I often enjoy ginger tea, but this offers a cooling drink ideal for the summer months. Even if you aren’t a big fan of ginger, it might be worth getting used to the taste to enjoy this healthy drink.
