Ginger with lemon, get to know its beneficial properties!

What is ginger?

Ginger comes from the root of the tropical plant Zingiber officinale and has been used for thousands of years in cooking and confectionery due to its spicy taste. It is also used as a flavoring in food, beverages, soaps and cosmetics. The plant is rich in antioxidants that can promote your health and well-being. Ginger, the substance that gives it a spicy taste, is thought to reduce the risk of infection.

How to make ginger tea

An easy way to put ginger in your life is to add small pieces to hot water and then enjoy the drink, hot or cold. You can make ginger tea as follows:

1. Rub 1 teaspoon (or more) from the root of the plant and pour it into a cup of hot water.
2. Allow the water to soak the ginger for 5-10 minutes
3. Strain to remove the ginger pieces.

You can add lemon, which is a natural antioxidant and its juice strengthens the immune system. This drink is ideal for the morning hours, as it helps to detoxify the body and creates a sense of well-being. Also, you can add turmeric, cinnamon or honey to maximize its taste.

Many products contain ginger or ginger flavor, but you will get more benefits than the drink you make yourself. Fresh ginger is your best source.

Ginger benefits

Ginger is used as a dietary supplement for nausea after surgery as well as nausea caused by exercise, chemotherapy or pregnancy. It is also used in the case of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis but it is unknown if it really helps in these diseases. It is widely used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India to prevent excessive blood clotting (ie thrombosis), lower cholesterol and fight arthritis. In Arabic medicine, ginger is considered an aphrodisiac [1]. Some people use it with water and lemon as a detox.

Common forms of ginger include fresh or dried root, powder (as a spice), tablets, capsules, essential oils, extract, syrup, tincture and tea. Below are the properties of ginger that are considered to be the most important for health. As with many herbs and herbal drinks, more research is needed to better understand its beneficial properties.

1.Anti-inflammatory action

Inflammation is one of the natural functions of our body, however germs, chemicals and poor nutrition can cause an overly inflammatory reaction. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in experimental animals. A laboratory study of cells found that it can reduce allergic reactions, in which inflammation plays a role. Another study showed that people taking daily ginger supplements had less muscle pain after exercise. Muscle pain may be associated with inflammation [2].

2.Antioxidant properties

The antioxidant properties of ginger can help with various ailments [3]. Antioxidants fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress and damage cells. Our body makes antioxidant enzymes but poor diet, alcohol, smoking and chronic stress can cause a large production of free radicals. Eating foods and beverages that contain antioxidants, such as ginger with lemon, can help prevent oxidative stress, which is a common complication of many ailments. For example, one study found that ginger – along with two other herbs – was able to prevent or slow kidney failure in male mice.

3.Reduces sugar and cholesterol

Recently, ginger has become part of traditional Chinese medicine as a natural remedy for cardiovascular disease. However, information on its mechanism of action is limited. Some findings show that it can help treat health problems caused by chronic diabetes. For example, one study found that ginger improved fasting blood sugar in diabetics [5]. Also, a study involving two strains of rats with high cholesterol showed that ginger reduced certain indicators of heart disease such as arginase activity, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides.

4.Helps to lose weight

Ginger with water and lemon can help promote weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. One study found that it suppressed obesity in rats on high-fat diets. Ginger-treated rats on a high-fat diet had lower glucose, body weight, leptin and insulin levels compared with controls [7]. Another study found that men who drank a hot ginger drink after a meal felt fuller. Because ginger can lower blood sugar, it may help prevent overeating.

5.Against nausea

Lemon ginger is a popular natural remedy for indigestion, vomiting and nausea. Studies, however, are unclear as to how effective it is. One study found that the evidence supports the effectiveness of ginger in treating nausea during pregnancy, but there may be safety risks in some women [8]. A systematic review of studies, however, found no adverse effects from ginger consumption in pregnant women or infants [9].

6.Immune tonic

Ginger has antiviral activity and can inhibit the growth of many bacteria. The drink and other herbal products (eg lozenges) are a popular natural remedy as an immune tonic. The substance in the herb that can help reduce the risk of infections is ginger which is effective against the gum bacteria associated with gingivitis. Fresh ginger can also be effective against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a common cause of respiratory infections [10].

Possible side effects

Eating the herb is safe for most people. However, ginger should not be combined with anticoagulants as it may affect their effectiveness. Also, an overdose such as consuming more than 4 grams per day can cause bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea or heartburn, belching and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported more menstrual bleeding when taking ginger.

There is some concern that ginger, during pregnancy, may affect maternal or fetal hormones or increase the risk of having a premature baby. There is a report in the literature of miscarriage during the 12th week of pregnancy in a woman who used ginger for morning sickness but this does not mean that she was the cause. Most studies in pregnant women show that ginger can be used safely for morning sickness without harming the baby.

The risk of serious malformations in female infants receiving ginger does not appear to be higher than the usual rate of 1-3%. Also, there does not appear to be an increased risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. However, because there is some concern that it may increase the risk of bleeding, the advice is not to use it near the date of birth. Before using ginger during pregnancy, discuss it with your doctor.

At Vita4you.gr you will find a wide variety of ginger supplements!