For most people, especially those with expertise in culinary arts, ginger is just some fragrant spice. If you are one of those people, it is better to know that ginger has antioxidant phytochemicals that make it number 1 in the world of plants.
Ginger is the popular name of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. It is believed that its country is ancient China. In our daily life ginger is present primarily on the table - as a spice used in various dishes.
Ginger contains 14 main bioactive components, its main properties are due to the phenols, known by the name of gingerols. The root contains quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, catechins, and small amounts of curcumin.
The total content of flavonoids per gram of dry weight is superior to that of garlic, onion, black tea, and papaya. Ginger is the popular name of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. It is believed that its country is ancient China.
In our daily life ginger is present primarily on the table - as a spice used in various dishes. It is believed that the substances, contained in the ginger extract, are among the strongest antibacterial agents. There is evidence of their killing activity against bacteria that are resistant to a number of antibiotics.
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What Is Ginger
Ginger is the popular name of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. It is believed that its country is ancient China. In our daily life ginger is present primarily on the table - as a spice used in various dishes.
Studies, conducted in recent years, give it a whole new place in our lives - as a supplement, caring for our health, that is not worse than the exotic ginkgo biloba and cat's claw.
Ginger contains 14 main bioactive components, its main properties are due to the phenols, known by the name of gingerols. The root contains quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, catechins, and small amounts of curcumin. The total content of flavonoids per gram of dry weight is superior to that of garlic, onion, black tea and papaya.
Purpose and Health Benefits
Ginger contains about 3% essential oils that give it an exotic flavor. Its aromatic oils contain different phytochemicals.
Ginger has high-percentage content of zingiberene and smaller concentrations of bisabolene and farnesene. Medicine knows the various benefits of using a ginger extract. They are:
1) Gastrointestinal
- Supports cases of dyspepsia and bad indigestion by local increase of blood flow in the digestive system;
- Accelerates the digestion of food in the intestine; accelerates the faster emptying of the intestine;
- Help in cases of colic, nausea, vomiting. Particularly effective in nausea, caused by pregnancy and sea sickness;
- Potential benefits in the prevention of colon cancer, but more studies are required;
- Possible identification of food thermic.
2) Cardiovascular
- It is believed that it blocks LDL cholesterol oxidation;
- Increases levels of good cholesterol - HDL;
- Potential benefits of lowering blood triglycerides;
- Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and that reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
3) Locomotor system
- Ginger has significant anti-inflammatory properties and successfully regulates markers of inflammation. Likewise aspirin, ginger inhibits the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and the metabolism of arachidonic acid, as the mechanism is associated with effects on the COX-2 enzyme. This effect opens a second side of the anti-inflammatory effects, suppresses leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators, produced in the leukocytes;
- Reduces muscle pain and inflammation in muscles, that are the result of hard training;
- It suppresses symptoms of osteoarthritis, although the anti-inflammatory effect is not the same as in ibuprofen. The effect is expressed in the inhibition of pain and regulation of swelling;
- Ginger regulates the proinflammatory cytokines, such as the tumor necrosis factor and the interleukin-1 in the cartilage tissue. At this stage, properties to slow the progression of arthritis is potential, as in vitro studies confirm them, but additional observations are needed on humans;
- Suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain cells;
- In vitro studies have confirmed also the suppressive effect on the nuclear kappa B factor, which is an expression of the inflammatory processes at the DNA level.
4) Nervous system
- There is evidence that taking ginger extract suppresses anxiety. The mechanism is not yet clarified. It is only known that the effect is enhanced when co-taken with ginkgo biloba;
- Suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain cells;
- Demonstrates improved memory and reduced the reaction time in older people.
5) Immune system
- Powerful antioxidant effect;
- It is believed that the substances, contained in the ginger extract, are among the strongest antibacterial agents. There is evidence of their killing activity against bacteria that are resistant to a number of antibiotics.
6) Hormonal balance
- The usage of 1000 mg extract significantly improves strong menstrual pain;
- Decreases to 53.7% lipid peroxidation in the testicles of impotent men;
- Increases the luteinizing hormone, the quantity, and quality of sperm in impotent men;
- Potential benefits in the increase of testosterone in long-term use, but studies at this stage are made solely on impotent men.
Side Effects from the Consumption of Ginger
Possible allergic reactions. Rarely reported mood changes in people taking the herb extract.
Who and in What Combinations Shouldn't Consume Ginger
The ginger root is stated safe food from the "Food and Drug Administration," which is responsible for the standardization and approval of food products in the US. However, if you decide to consume ginger extract, consult your doctor in advance.
This applies mostly to pregnant and breastfeeding women and small children. People with gallstones, cardiovascular problems, brain tumors or other diseases of the brain tissue are not advised to consume ginger without consulting a specialist.
To improve digestion, ginger gets successfully combined with digestive enzymes, mint, sage and fennel seeds. For a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, the combinations with glucosamine, ginger, Boswellia, curcumin, and methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) are recommended. Ginger should not be taken in combination with drugs that have a similar effect, such as barbarian and aspirin.
Necessary Doses and Way of Intake
The recommended dose for the common health effect varies between 500 to 1000 mg of extract daily. The standardized extract of ginger is a 5% concentration of aromatic oils.
The anti-inflammatory effect of ginger occurs at doses of 2000 mg of extract daily, continued for at least 28 days. Higher doses of at least 10 grams per day can have a positive effect on testosterone levels and the regulation of estrogen.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements Can We Find Ginger
Most often, ginger extract is sold on its own or as part of a complex of antioxidant products.
Sometimes manufacturers put it in enzymatic products that improve digestion, but you also can find ginger in inflammatory and joints-supporting products.
