The potential health benefits of ginger
Ginger is the fresh rhizome of the perennial herb ginger. Its aliases include ginger root, Bailayun, Gouzhuangzhi, Yindixin, Yanliang boy, fresh ginger, and honey-roasted ginger. The rhizome (dry ginger), cork (ginger skin) and leaves (ginger leaves) of ginger can be used as medicine. Ginger has the functions of divergence, anti-nausea and cough-relieving in traditional Chinese medicine.
Support your immune system.
You know that spicy, pungent scent-flavor that's ginger's calling card? That's due to gingerol, a compound that has antioxidant properties to help support your immunity. Try sipping ginger tea or making a gingery salad dressing for a quickie health boost.
A natural way to relieve period pain.
Out of all of the research done on ginger's pain-relieving properties, results show it helps with menstrual pain the most. Sipping ginger tea can also soothe nausea during that time of the month.
An anti-inflammatory.
Like other produce, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains, ginger contains antioxidant-like compounds called phytonutrients that may reduce cell damage. The root can also prevent inflammation from starting by reducing cell-signaling activity.
Settle an upset stomach.
The idea that ginger can help with some light tummy trouble isn't new. In fact, research has linked multiple digestive benefits to ginger, specifically acting on parts of your GI tract responsible for feelings of nausea, stomach upset, and vomiting. It may also help move food from the stomach to the small intestine for digestion and absorption.
Help prevent heart disease.
The same anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can also reduce the risk of chronic disease. A 2019 review found that ginger can lower blood pressure and decrease blood lipids (fats) levels, both of which help protect against heart disease, and a 2016 review linked regular ginger intake with lower cholesterol and blood sugar compared to a placebo.
Lower your risk of cancer.
The cell-protecting properties of ginger can lower the long-term risk of certain cancers. That's because the spice and other flavorings may reduce cellular activity that causes DNA changes, cell death, and proliferation of cancer cells. It could also help sensitize tumors to treatments like chemo and radiation. While ginger's not a cure-all for any chronic disease, using it regularly with loads of other spices and plant-based foods can help benefit health overall.
Help you lose weight.
Some small studies have linked ginger intake — when combined with other plant extracts — to some benefits in weight loss. And there's definitely some promising animal research linking ginger to weight management.