Ginger offers an impressive list of health benefits, from digestive system support to lowering blood pressure. Ginger is derived from the root of the Zingiber officinale plant, known for adding a delightful “zing” to any dish, and is a member of the same plant family as cardamom and turmeric. Ginger is so highly cherished that it comes in countless forms: fresh, dried, pickled, candied, powdered, teas, and more. It has been used for over 5,000 years as a traditional remedy for many health issues, from colds to cancer. Ginger is beneficial for relieving digestive symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, bloating, and gas. It is also known to help alleviate motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy.
Recent research has backed up the ancient ideas of ginger’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-cancer actions. A 2017 study published in Nutrition looked at the effect of daily ginger consumption on the prevention of chronic diseases in adults, including diabetes, fatty liver, anemia, tumors, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), and more. Overall, the study found that eating ginger daily resulted in lower hypertension and CHD, suggesting that ginger has the potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
