The Health Benefits of Ginger: Nature’s Most Potent Anti-Inflammatory

Health Benefits of Ginger: Ginger, one of the most ancient known spices, contains bioactive compounds with several health benefits. You’ve probably heard about ginger for an upset stomach, but there are many other amazing health benefits. My favorite benefit of ginger is recovery and anti-inflammatory benefits. But there are many more amazing ways ginger can benefit your health. Gingerol is the most pharmacologically active among such compounds. Gingerol is protective against cancerous tumors, oxidative and inflammatory processes associated with cancer, and with the underlying mechanisms of action involved in signaling pathways.

In Ayurvedic medicine, ginger has been used as a carminative, sweat-inducing, anti-seizure,  circulation stimulator, and for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. The main medicinal value of ginger is due to gingerol and shogaol, which both possess potent antioxidant activity. Ginger also contains zingerone and an oily resin called gingerin. Research is showing ginger can help with menstrual cycle irregularities and can also stop the growth of ovarian cancer cells. Ginger can also help with male and female fertility, increased sperm count,  and testosterone levels. Let’s dive into some of the amazing benefits of ginger.

Health Benefits of Ginger: Perimenopausal Hormone Balancing

Ginger helps to balance hormones naturally. In a recent study on PCOS, ginger worked better than prescription medications for balancing out hormones and finding symptom relief. The researcher’s concluded that the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS symptoms.

Body aches and joint pain are also common occurrences during menopause, both of which benefit from the consumption of ginger. Anti-inflammatory compound gingerol found in ginger has a potent anti-inflammatory effect that helps ease body aches and joint pain. Gingerol is chemically similar to aspirin but more potent and without the nasty side effects.

Ginger for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Thanks to its gingerol content, ginger is a potent natural anti-inflammatory. It has a positive impact on conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by reducing swelling and pain.

By inducing a heat response in the body, ginger also helps support our immune system. Sweating supports natural detoxification and promotes the release of harmful free radicals and other toxins, which often play a role in the multifaceted nature of autoimmune conditions.

Health Benefits of Ginger: Ginger for Fighting Cancer

Ginger is often said to be more powerful than chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer, due to its antioxidant and natural cancer-fighting properties 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, which promote cancer cell death. Animal studies highlight its ability to inhibit the production of gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer cells.

Studies also suggest that ginger can help reduce nausea, dizziness, and vertigo, three other common side effects of chemotherapy, so ginger can be used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment to help reduce the side effects. Crystalised ginger can also be consumed if fresh ginger is too offputting.

Best Ways To Consume Ginger

To get maximum health benefits of ginger, fresh, raw ginger is the best way to consume it. Most studies highlight the use of fresh raw ginger, in varying dosages but generally hovering around the 1-2 grams per day for adults. Ginger can, however, also be consumed in a crystalized form (sweetened with sugar), or as a tea.

Health Benefits of Ginger: Summary

Although most people know the health benefits of ginger for its ability to reduce nausea, the medicinal benefits of this root extend much farther. Thanks to compounds like gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, and gingerin, ginger has been shown to have many benefits including reducing side effects during perimenopause, reducing soreness post-exercise, and fighting cancer, autoimmune and inflammation conditions. Although fresh ginger is often used in studies, you can also consume ginger in crystallized form or as a tea.

References

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Lima, Rosália Maria Tôrres De, et al. “Protective and Therapeutic Potential of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Extract and [6]-Gingerol in Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 32, no. 10, 2018, pp. 1885–1907., doi:10.1002/ptr.6134.

Matsumura, Melissa D., et al. “The Effects of Pre-Exercise Ginger Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 29, no. 6, 2015, pp. 887–893., doi:10.1002/ptr.5328.

Prasad, Sahdeo, and Amit K. Tyagi. “Ginger and Its Constituents: Role in Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer.” Gastroenterology Research and Practice, vol. 2015, 2015, pp. 1–11., doi:10.1155/2015/142979.

Ryan, Julia L., and Gary R. Morrow. “Ginger.” Oncol Nurse Ed, vol. 24, no. 2, 26 Feb. 2010, pp. 46–49., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5008850/.

Ryan, Julie L., et al. “Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Reduces Acute Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: a URCC CCOP Study of 576 Patients.” Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 20, no. 7, May 2011, pp. 1479–1489., doi:10.1007/s00520-011-1236-3.

Shokri Mashhadi, Nafiseh, et al. “Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence.” International Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 4, Apr. 2013, pp. S36–S42., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/.