Does your body need a little wake-up call? – Ginger could be your answer.
It is making yourself a cup of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon and fresh ginger! The lemon will give a little kick, and so can the ginger! We all may know that ginger is a healthy product. But what precisely are the effects that make it so healthy for us?
GINGER MAY PROTECT AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTION
Antioxidants and bioactive compounds that you find in ginger can help inhibit inflammatory responses that may occur in your brain. A study showed that ginger might even enhance brain function directly, which includes benefits such as anti-ageing, improving memory as well as response time!
CAN HELP LOWER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Ginger can help reduce the level of blood triglyceride as well as LDL cholesterol levels.
HELPS YOUR DIGESTION
Compounds found in ginger are known to stimulate saliva and bile production as well as helping to promote regular digestion and metabolism of your food. The ginger will help to relieve the gastrointestinal of irritation.
GINGER CONTAINS GINGEROL
This substance is stuffed full of antioxidants and strong anti-inflammatory properties.
HELPS TO TREAT NAUSEA AND MORNING SICKNESS
It is thought that active elements such as gingerol have a powerful effect on the digestive and central nervous system, which helps prevent nausea.
MAY REDUCE MENSTRUAL PAIN
Ginger is known for its anti-pain property. Particularly ginger powder which is known to help reduce menstrual pain. It is also known even to be as effective as painkillers such as ibuprofen.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS
The powerful properties in ginger are also known to help fight infections and reduce symptoms of flu and colds. When you feel ill, it is a great idea to drink ginger tea as it warms the body from within, which promotes sweating.
MAY REDUCE MUSCLE PAIN AND SORENESS
Ginger is a great substance to take after exercise as it may lessen muscle pain by up to 25%. Also, some studies show that ginger can help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
COULD DRASTICALLY LOWER BLOOD SUGARS
Supplements in ginger help lower the risk of blood clotting and have been shown to reduce blood sugars. A study has shown that 2 grams of ginger powder per day can lower your blood sugar by up to 12%!
MAY PREVENT CERTAIN TYPES OF CANCER
Gingerol found in ginger can help delay the increase of colorectal cancer cells. The properties are also beneficial working towards enzymes, trypsin and pancreatic lipase. And may also help to increase mobility through the digestive tract. All these benefits can help towards fighting against colon cancer and may even prevent the illness altogether. Supplements in ginger may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, which was established by research done by the Cancer Prevention Research.
If you’re not a big fan of ginger (yet)? No worries, there are plenty of ways to still get your daily doses of ginger without tasting its overpowering flavour too much!
Here are some of our favourite ways!
SMOOTHIE
If you love smoothies just blend a little piece (depending on how much of a ginger lover you are) into your smoothies. Using plenty of fruit and/or veggies, the ginger taste will be overpowered by the different flavours!
SOUP
Again as similar to the smoothie, if you make your own soups, it’s a great idea just to add a small amount of ginger, or if you are making stock for your soup, add some ginger and leave it to infuse in the water together with the other ingredients.
SAUCE OR DRESSING
If you are making a fresh salad dressing or a thick sauce to wok your noodles in, you can always add a little ginger! Here are some simple recipes to get you started!
SIMPLE GINGER SALAD DRESSING
- One teaspoon sesame oil
- One tablespoon grated ginger root
- Two tablespoons low salt soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Mix all your ingredients and whisk together in a small bowl. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste then drizzle over your salad! Yum, Yum!
SIMPLE TERIYAKI SAUCE
- Two teaspoons grated ginger root
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- 1/4 cup low salt soy sauce
- 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Two teaspoons sesame seeds (toasted)
Add all your ingredients together in a hot saucepan. Let it simmer and stir often for about 5 min until it’s smooth and thick. Drizzle over some veggies, rice, or noodles, and you’ve got yourself a delicious ginger rich sauce!
GINGER TEA
If you love ginger as I do, you can always simply add slices or grated ginger to a hot cup of water and make your own ginger tea. Add some lemon, honey or agave syrup if you want to add some flavours!
Enjoy!
