Potential Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger has been used for several scientific properties, loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds responsible for various health-promoting perspectives. It is commonly used to treat diarrhoea, stomach upset and indigestion for the anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties. It constitutes 80% moisture, 12% carbohydrate, 2% protein , 2% fiber , 1% mineral and 0.9% fat.
Properties of Ginger
Potency: Spicy
Taste: Bitter
Properties: Light, adhesive and thick
Ginger contains amadaldehyde, ginger diacetates, 6-ginger sulphonic acid and ginger glycolipids which are responsible for providing potential health benefits.
Therapeutic Properties of Ginger
- Gingerol and shogaol compounds have many therapeutic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic effects.
- Ginger enhances blood circulation throughout the body by circulating blood, along with cellular metabolism while relieving cramps.
- The hypotensive effect helps to reduce partial blood pressure by blocking the calcium channel.
- Ginger extracts interfere with cholesterol biosynthesis and lead to a decrease in cholesterol levels as they have antilipidemic effects and help in reducing high lipid levels.
- Ginger is useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including peptic and duodenal ulcer. As it protects the gastric mucosa against several ulcerogenic agents due to its antioxidant activities.
- Antiemetic effect of ginger can be seen as it works by enhancing intestinal mobility and inhibiting serotonin receptors.
- It is widely used during early pregnancy to fight morning sickness.
- Ginger is effective in lowering blood glucose levels when taken in dried form.
- It has a good antibacterial and antiviral effect.
- It has powerful antioxidant activity due to its oil which has a protective effect on DNA damage.
- It may help ease menstrual cramps.
- It may be taken to deal with migraine pain.
In conclusion, ginger can be considered as a superfood due to various bioactive compounds, particularly gingerol and should include in the diet daily. Several metabolic and age-related degenerative disorders are associated with oxidative processes in the body. The use of ginger as a source of antioxidants to combat oxidation along with its other chemical constituents have shown to be many health-promoting benefits.
REFERENCE
Pelagia Research Library www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com