This ancient spice packs quite a punch and not just for your taste buds. My trainer introduced me to the many benefits of ginger last year and now, it's a regular part of my diet. I drink ginger tea every day. (See my recipe below.) Even my family has gotten into it; my mom swears drinking ginger tea helps her breathe better. And it's possible because ginger fights inflammation. Here are just a few conditions that ginger can help treat or prevent:
INFECTION
Ginger contains gingerol, a bioactive compound that can help fight infection. It inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and the RSV virus. And who isn't worried about germs these days? *sigh*
INFLAMMATION
This is a big one since inflammation is a symptom or cause of so many health problems. The gingerol in ginger also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It can help fight a range of problems from muscle soreness and osteoarthritis to Alzheimer's disease and even cancer.
NAUSEA
Studies have shown ginger is an effective remedy for all types of nausea. It has long been used as a cure for sea sickness, and research shows it's highly effective in treating morning sickness.
DIABETES
This may be a newly-discovered benefit. A small, recent study suggests ginger may help fight type 2 diabetes. Participants who consumed 2 grams of ginger powder per day lowered their fasting blood sugar by 12%!
INDIGESTION
Research shows eating ginger before a meal can speed up the emptying of the stomach by as much as 50%.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Studies show ginger can help reduce LDL, the bad cholesterol linked to heart disease.
For more on the awesome benefits of ginger, check out this article from Healthline here.
GINGER TEA RECIPE
As promised, here's my recipe for ginger tea.
Rinse your ginger root thoroughly. Cut a 1-inch section into slices and bring to a boil in 2 cups of water. Simmer for 5 minutes for mild flavor or up to 10 minutes for stronger ginger flavor. Pour the tea through a fine sieve into a tea cup or mug. Add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and stir in 1 teaspoon of honey. Enjoy!
Click here for more tasty ginger recipes from Food & Wine.
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