Ginger Root

Ginger Root

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an ancient herb whose rhizomes are used as food, spice, and medicine. Ginger is closely related to galangal and turmeric. When ginger root is cut, it emits hot and fragrant aroma that lends well to savory dishes and baked products. Of the 115 different chemical components found in ginger root, the health benefits of this powerful herb are attributed to gingerol, a highly potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Benefits of Ginger Root

An overwhelming body of research shows that the bioactive ingredients in ginger root, especially gingerols, have a wide array of amazing health benefits, including:

Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Several studies assessing the anti-cancer properties of ginger root have shown that its active components 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol can inhibit the growth and reproduction of cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death.[1-2] Researchers also found that ginger root is effective against a variety of cancer types including skin, ovarian, colon, breast, cervical, mouth, kidney, prostate, gastric, pancreatic, liver, and brain cancer.[3]

Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

According to a study published in the Journal of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, ginger root supplementation can help prevent nausea and vomiting in patients who had major surgery.[4] The study found that women who took ginger root after major gynaecological surgery had lesser incidences of nausea and vomiting compared to those who took placebo.

Pain Relief from Osteoarthritis

A 2001 study found that ginger root extract supplementation in patients with osteoarthritis for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in knee pain compared to placebo.[5] The group treated with ginger also reported an improvement in walking exercises and physical mobility after the treatment.

Improved Exercise Recovery

A 2009 study published in the Journal of American Pain Society found that participants who consumed 2 grams of raw ginger for 11 days experienced moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury.[6] This finding demonstrates ginger’s effectiveness as a pain reliever.

Relief from Menstrual Pain

Most women tend to experience mild to severe pain during menstruation. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that ginger root consumption at 1g daily was effective in reducing the pain associated with periods with no adverse side effects.[7] This finding suggests that ginger can be an alternative natural remedy for menstrual pain, thus eliminating the need for over-the-counter pain relievers.

Improved Lipid Levels

In a study on patients with high blood triglycerides, ginger capsule supplementation at 3 g/day in 3 divided doses was associated with significant reductions in triglyceride, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.[8] By improving lipid levels, ginger supplementation can also help lower one’s risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other fatal diseases.

Sharper Memory

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that ginger supplementation at 400 mg and 800 mg in middle-aged healthy women over 2 months resulted in improved parameters of cognition, most related to word selection and accuracy as well as working memory.[9]

References:

1. Srinivasan K. Antioxidant potential of spices and their active constituents. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2014;54(3):352–372. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.585525.
2. Ishiguro K., Ando T., Maeda O., et al. Ginger ingredients reduce viability of gastric cancer cells via distinct mechanisms. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2007;362(1):218–223. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.08.012.
3. Prasad S, Tyagi AK. Ginger and Its Constituents: Role in Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Gastroenterology Research and Practice. 2015;2015:142979. doi:10.1155/2015/142979.
4. Bone ME, Wilkinson DJ, Young JR, McNeil J, Charlton S. Ginger root–a new antiemetic. The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery. Anaesthesia. 1990; 45(8):669-71.
5. Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis and rheumatism. 2001; 44(11):2531-8.
6. Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, O’Connor PJ. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society. 2010; 11(9):894-903.
7. Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2009; 15(2):129-32.
8. Alizadeh-Navaei R, Roozbeh F, Saravi M, Pouramir M, Jalali F, Moghadamnia AA. Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial. Saudi medical journal. 2008; 29(9):1280-4.
9. Saenghong N, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, et al. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2012;2012:383062. doi:10.1155/2012/383062.