Here’s How Eating A Bit Of Ginger Every Day For A Month Can Have A Huge Impact On Your Health

To begin with, get all preconceptions about ginger out of your head. We’re not just talking about human-shaped cookies here. That’s your sweet tooth doing the thinking. We are referring to the plant that gives gingerbread its delicious flavor.

Sure, it doesn’t look like much, but ginger’s gnarly shape hides some surprises. You see, the people of ancient Greece, India, and China have sworn by the root for a long time. And they even cultivated it as a form of medicine — thinking it to be a great addition to anyone’s diet. But were their suspicions correct?

You might be wondering, then, how ginger came to this side of the globe. Well, we have the Silk Road to thank for that. For those of you unfamiliar with its history, this passage was an established trade route formed more than 2,000 years ago. Both goods and religions traveled its path from east to west and vice versa. And one time, ginger must have formed part of the cargo.

When ginger arrived on Western shores thanks to China, it was soon picked up in Europe. People on the continent apparently took a liking to its taste. And according to Encyclopedia Britannica, it had some interesting uses — hiding the flavor of preserved meat, for one.

Though that’s not to say ginger’s health properties were entirely ignored in Europe. It’s believed Henry VIII ate it to ward off the plague, for instance. We know he’s not exactly a good role model for a healthy lifestyle! But it seems the English king was right about the potential health benefits of ginger.

It’s thought the Europeans developed their own recipes for gingerbread by the end of the Middle Ages. But they weren’t quite as on it as the Greeks, who had been eating the yummy snack for more than 1,000 years already! These societies no doubt discovered that the humble root has plenty of other uses, too. We certainly know this today. In fact, it would be rather easy to incorporate into our daily diets for a month.

If you want a stronger taste in your cooking, you can use fresh ginger roots. Alternatively, there’s the powdered version, which should last a lot longer in the cupboard. And then there’s also preserved ginger, which is produced by peeling fresh young roots and then boiling the segments in a sugar-water solution.

You can also make something known as crystallized ginger. According to BBC Good Food, you simply cook the root in hot sugary water and then roll it in — yep, you guessed it — more sugar. Or you pickle the ginger by soaking it in vinegar. This dish is called gari in Japan and is served between courses.

As we mentioned earlier, ginger is often used as a flavoring for various different recipes. Yep, the root is perhaps most widely known to the public as a seasoning and gives flavor to items such as ginger beer, gingerbread, and ginger tea. But what does it do to the body? And what changes might you expect to notice if you ate it every day for a month?

Ginger has often been praised for the health benefits it can provide us. So it turns out that Henry VIII may have been onto something after all! The plant can actually strengthen our immune systems thanks to a component called gingerol.

Gingerol is apparently responsible for giving the root its smell. It’s also an antioxidant, which is a quality you’ll find in other superfoods such as blueberries. Crucially, antioxidants combat free radicals, and they are needed to prevent considerable harm to your health. So far so good for the weird-shaped root, then.

Free radicals are basically created when our bodies produce electrons that aren’t paired with other electrons. In their search for partners, these solo atoms take their toll on our bodies – causing diseases and aging. Thankfully, antioxidants remove free radicals, which is one reason why they’re encouraged as part of a healthy diet. Ginger’s health benefits don’t end there, either. 

The root also contains antioxidant-like compounds called phytonutrients. Plants make these substances to protect themselves from threats such as UV rays and insect predators. And you’d be surprised what these compounds can do for you as part of your diet.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a meal plan that includes plenty of phytonutrients could have significant health benefits. The organization notes that including them in our diets appears to be an “effective strategy” for minimizing the chances of developing heart disease and cancer. But that’s not all.

Ginger actually has anti-inflammatory properties, too. Inflammation occurs when your body detects the presence of something foreign. It then kick-starts your immune system in response, and that’s when inflammation occurs. Some of us can experience this over extended periods of time — even when our bodies aren’t at risk from foreign chemicals or microbes. This is when inflammation can be a threat and can potentially lead to conditions such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

The good news, though, is that adding more ginger to your diet can help combat these risks. The plant has a way of telling your body there’s no threat by interrupting the cell signals that cause inflammation. Clever, eh? For something that looks so unremarkable, ginger is turning out to be quite a powerhouse!

And the root doesn’t just improve the immune system, either. There have also been several research papers released on the effects ginger has on digestion. Experts have even argued that it is as good as, if not better than, a number of over-the-counter drugs when it comes to treating tummy problems!

According to a 2011 study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, ginger and its metabolites tend to gather in our gastrointestinal tract. And this is probably why the plant is so good for our digestion. Did you know the properties in the root actually encourage food to work through our bodies? Didn’t think so. This is especially helpful for an annoying ailment we all experience from time to time.

The fact that ginger works especially well in this area of our bodies actually makes it a good treatment for nausea. The website ImmuneSchein Ginger Elixirs, for example, points to clinical trials claiming ginger can reduce vomiting as a result of pregnancy, indigestion, motion sickness, and certain types of chemotherapy.

And there’s also evidence to suggest that ginger gets rid of the gas produced during the digestive process, too. Yes, it appears that enzymes in the root help the gas to disperse. This means it doesn’t hang around in your tract, causing discomfort or embarrassing wind. Some research suggests the root can treat constipation as well.

And as we mentioned earlier, ginger may also be good at soothing the effects of chemotherapy. Medical News Today cited a small 2010 study that analyzed 60 young cancer patients who were taking ginger root power. Amazingly, almost all of the study subjects reported feeling less nauseous after taking the supplement.

Pregnant mothers suffering from morning sickness may find ginger to be a great help. And it seems to get to work pretty quickly, too. That’s right: according to the University of Michigan, ginger can begin to combat both general nausea and morning sickness within a few days of treatment. Though it adds that expecting mothers need to speak to a doctor before they begin taking ginger.

In 2020 Good Housekeeping magazine noted that ginger’s anti-inflammatory compounds can help reduce the risk of developing certain chronic illnesses. The publication cited a 2019 study that demonstrated how the plant can reduce blood fat levels and blood pressure — both of which are connected to heart disease. But remember: ginger must be consumed as part of a diet low in sugar and saturated fats if these health benefits are to be realized.

Cancerous masses grow when cells are reproducing too quickly. But the antioxidants in ginger can help. They actually work to protect cells from becoming overworked and damaged in the process. And this, therefore, may make you less likely to develop certain types of cancers.

Plus, as well as easing the side effects of cancer treatments, ginger may also improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation on tumors. But again, it must be noted that the plant isn’t going to heal someone suffering from a serious illness. In order to keep your body strong, it’s recommended that you consume ginger alongside a host of other healthy foods.

Some people swear by ginger as a herbal remedy for common colds and flus, too. There’s only been a little research into this topic, but studies reveal there may be some truth in it. Two papers in 2013 investigated ginger’s effectiveness in tackling fluey symptoms. The first studied how the consumption of the root impacted a virus affecting the lungs.

The researchers tried both dried and fresh ginger — and both had different results. The fresh variety did have a positive effect on the lungs, nose, and throat area. But dried ginger wasn’t nearly as beneficial. And a second study from that year looked at herbal medicine as a whole.

For this investigation, researchers asked 300 pharmacy users across two groups about the effectiveness of herbal medicines in tackling flu and colds. Of those, 69 percent confirmed that they’d used these kinds of remedies, and the majority of them said they’d felt the benefits of what they’d taken. So, while the poll didn’t have any conclusive evidence about ginger specifically, it’s an interesting result all the same.

So, after reading this, you’re probably wondering how you can add ginger to your daily diet! Well, the good news is that it’s surprisingly easy. If you’re a fan of hot drinks, you could start opting for ginger tea. Or curry lovers can simply incorporate ginger into their existing recipes. But there are some risks you should know about.

Yep, there are circumstances when it’s best to avoid ginger. Pregnant women shouldn’t consume ginger too close to labor, for instance. Research suggests that it can apparently increase the loss of blood. And this is why expectant mothers who’ve had miscarriages in the past should also stay away from the plant. The same goes, more generally, for who suffer from blood-clotting illnesses such as hemophilia.

As stated by news agency NDTV back in 2018, “Hemophilia is a rare condition which prevents the ability of the blood to clot. Though blood clots can be risky in some conditions, it is still important for the body. Loss of an ability to clot can lead to excessive bleeding due to a minute cut or injury.”

“Where ginger is recommended for people to improve blood circulation in the body, people with hemophilia may actually suffer severe hemorrhage due to increased blood circulation in the body,” the article continued. “It may even nullify the effects of some life-saving medication.” And there’s another illness that may make eating ginger a little risky.

Some studies suggest that ginger may also help with diabetes. But NDTV poured cold water on this idea, explaining, “For people on medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, ginger is a big ‘no-no.’” But why, you may ask?

“Drugs [such as] beta-blockers, anticoagulants, and insulin can be very harmful when combined with ginger,” NDTV clarified. “Ginger helps with blood-thinning and lowers blood pressure, both of which can go wrong with these medications.” The best thing you can do, though, is to discuss the matter with your GP.

The Healthline website took a similar stance when it comes to diabetes and ginger. “Although many studies suggest that ginger could be useful in diabetes management, you should take precautions when consuming it,” the website stated. “You shouldn’t consume more than 4 grams of ginger per day.”

“Ginger can be an effective addition to your diabetes treatment if you use it in moderation,” Healthline stated. “Eating up to 4 grams per day may help lower your blood sugar levels and regulate insulin production. Be sure to talk with your doctor before adding this to your treatment regimen. Together, you can determine the best dosage for you, as well as discuss any potential side effects.”

“Although side effects are rare, it’s possible to experience heartburn, diarrhea, and an upset stomach if you eat ginger in large amounts,” Healthline concluded. You should be careful when you’ve been advised to alter your blood pressure levels, too. Apparently, the consumption of ginger can, at times, bring your blood pressure down and make your heart beat out of rhythm.

And there you have it. If you don’t have any underlying conditions, adding ginger to your daily diet may help improve your health. And not just in the immediate future — the weird little root can help tackle diseases further down the line, too.