We’ve all heard of the superfoods we should eat — kale, blueberries, salmon and more — but ginger often gets overlooked. Resembling a small tree root, ginger contains nutrients, antioxidants and substances to protect our bodies from disease. This zesty spice not only delivers amazing flavor to your food, but it’s also packed with health benefits that are great for your body and brain.
Treating Nausea
Some studies have found that certain chemicals found in ginger may influence the nervous system, stomach and intestines to help reduce nausea. This applies to sea sickness, chemotherapy-related nausea, nausea after surgery and morning sickness. Next time you’re feeling queasy, try ginger candies, chews or tea.
Lowers Bad Blood Sugars
Over the years, it has been shown that ginger may help reduce blood sugar levels and help regulate insulin response in individuals with diabetes. By inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down glucose, ginger can help decrease blood sugar levels.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Some evidence suggests that ginger may lead to significant reductions in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides.
Reduces Muscle Pain and Soreness
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger has shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. While it doesn’t have an immediate impact, ginger may help reduce the day-to-day progression of muscle pain.
How to Add Ginger to Your Diet
Ginger is available in many different forms ranging from fresh or dried, oil, extract, capsules and juice shots. You can take ginger as a supplement or powder, or simply add raw ginger to your food!
Although ginger has great health benefits, you shouldn’t consume more than 4 grams per day. While side effects are rare, it's possible to experience heartburn, diarrhea and upset stomach if you eat too much in large amounts.
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