5 + Proven Benefits of Ginger: Effects on Weight Loss and More

by John Griffith
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Ginger is an amazing root from the southeast parts of Asia. For years, it is used in the kitchen and medicine alike. This is because it has many incredible health benefits. It’s not only a great spice to add into your dishes, both savory and sweet. It is a versatile plant packed with a ton of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients. Found in many traditional medicine practices, including Ayurvedic and Chinese, ginger has plenty of benefits you can enjoy. Experiencing nausea? Have some ginger tea. Feeling bloated? You guessed it, ginger can help. Ginger is valued for it’s health benefits, taste, and aromatic properties. It’s also super easy to incorporate it into your diet. This is because it comes in plenty of variants. Such as teas, candy, powder form, pickled, fresh, dry and more. Today, we will take a dive into the benefits of ginger, it’s side effects and dosage.

Ginger has many incredible health benefits

benefits of eating ginger ginger in stores

Health Benefits of Ginger

Okay, it’s time to check out all the amazing benefits we keep mentioning a little more in detail. Here are some things you can enjoy when you start consuming ginger.

A ginger root 

benefits of turmeric and ginger ginger root

Aids with Nausea

One of the most popular benefits of ginger is relieving nausea. If you are going through a cancer treatment, or you are pregnant and experiencing morning sickness and motion sickness, the root can help. The shogaols and gingerols found in ginger are very effective to prevent vomiting and nausea.

Weight Loss

Studies have shown promising results. People who take ginger supplements lose weight, especially in the hip to waist ratio. It’s helpful in reducing the BMI Index and since it helps with controlling blood sugar levels, it will help control appetite. Bone broth is also great for weight loss.

People who take ginger supplements lose weight

ginger helps with weight loss

Gets Rid of Bloating

Adding ginger into your diet can help with gas and bloating problems. Just a cup of ginger tea can help you digest food faster and easier. Consequently, digesting more effectively will remove any bloating and gas issues. That is why ginger is great for removing any uncomfortable food babies.

Pain Relief

Ginger is amazing at pain relief. This includes period cramps, symptoms of arthritis, and even sore muscles. This is thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties it’s remarkable at reducing swelling. While drinking one glass of tea or taking one pill won’t take away the pain in a second, it helps long term.

Ginger is amazing at pain relief

woman clinging her neck in pain

Immunity Booster

Mix ginger with some other amazing ingredients such as lemon juice and honey. Not only are you in for a treat, it will also do your immune system a service. You can also add just a teaspoon to your chicken soup, it will also do the job. It adds flavor and benefits! This is all thanks to the gingerols. Enjoy foods such as kombucha and ginger for a great immune system.

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

The gingerol found in the root is great when it comes to managing healthy levels of blood sugar. This is because it reduces the enzyme that can break down the carbohydrates. Consequently, this helps the body use insulin better thus managing blood sugar levels.

Ginger helps control blood sugar levels 

sigar in a pot

Lowers Cholesterol

About half a teaspoon of ginger three times a day can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride. This incredible root manages to reduce the “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. The magic happens as it is able to trigger an enzyme that controls the cholesterol in our bodies.

Brain Function

Both inflammation that is chronic and oxidative stress can cause problems with cognitive functions. The decline in such functions lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other memory issues. Ginger, alongside ashwagandha, has great bioactive and antioxidant compounds that can help fight with these issues and stop them from occurring.

Decline in cognitive functions leads to diseases

person with box on head

Anti-inflammatory

We’ve mentioned it before, but inflammation caused by free radicals causes many problems in the body, including cancer. That is why eating and drinking foods, such as stinging nettle, that have anti-inflammatory properties, is crucial. Ginger has phytochemical properties which may help when it comes to battling inflammation.

Healthy Heart

The root has astounding blood-thinning properties. This means it can prevent blood clots, and alongside lowering the “bad” cholesterol, it’s great for the heart. A healthy heart means a very low risk of any cardiovascular diseases. This includes high blood pressure, fatty liver disease diabetes, and more.

The root has astounding blood-thinning properties

heart neon sign

Helps Stop Cancer Growth

While there isn’t a magic pill, there are plenty of natural variants to help fight off the growth of cancer cells. Like milk thistle, it’s packed with antioxidants that protect the body. People suffering from prostate, skin, breast, colorectal, ovarian, gastric and other types of can benefit from taking ginger supplements.

Stops Bacteria Growth

Ginger is great at getting your body rid of any bacteria that’s causing trouble. Bacteria such as shigella or E.coli has a hard time growing when ginger enters the system. It’s also pretty good against other bacteria as well. Fresh ginger is especially useful in such situations.

Bacteria growth can be stopped with ginger

health benefits of ginger ginger root

Side Effects of Ginger

Well, as many amazing things, including spirulina, side effects are always present. Here is what you should know if you decide to add ginger to your everyday life. However, don’t worry, ginger’s side effects aren’t as scary as you may think. In some people it may cause some mild side effects. This includes general discomfort in the stomach such as diarrhea, burping, and heartburn. In some cases it also causes skin irritation. The general rule is the higher the dosage, the higher the risk of side effects.

Ginger’s side effects aren’t as scary as you may think

enefits of ginger tea ginger tea

Ginger Dosage

Most studies done with ginger use a dosage of around 170 to 250 milligrams to 1 gram, from once to four times daily. However, it is also considered safe to take up to 4 grams as well. It all depends on your needs and how much you can take without having disruptive side effects.

Ginger dosage depends on your needs

benefits of ginger ginger and ginger powder

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.