STAYING HEALTHY WITH GINGER

 STAYING HEALTHY WITH GINGER

Ginger root has been valued for centuries for its medicinal uses in India and Asia. These days it is still used to treat a number of ailments throughout the world. Here is a rundown on some of the known health benefits of this delicious spice.

Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural process for healing injury or illness. It causes heat and swelling to keep you from moving a damaged area while normal repair processes are taking place. Normally, as the body heals, inflammation dissipates, but in some conditions, such as heart disease, gallbladder inflammation, arthritis and diverticulitis, the inflammation does not recede. In this case, inflammation can become the underlying cause for many illnesses, and ginger is known for its impact on inflammation. Ginger contains two enzymes that play an important role in reducing inflammation. This is due to the presence of gingerols in the plant’s roots. These substances can be particularly useful in reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Nausea

Ginger has been used to treat digestive disorders since the time of the Ancient Greeks. Many recent studies conducted in the United States have shown that ginger can reduce the effects of nausea produced by motion sickness or morning sickness. Ginger’s anti-emetic properties may also be beneficial for nausea caused by chemotherapy.

Diabetes

Each of your kidneys is composed of hundreds of structures called nephrons, which filter your blood and transport waste from your body. If you suffer from diabetes, the nephrons gradually thicken and become scarred. As this happens, the kidneys begin to leak protein into the urine. Clinical research indicates that this complication of diabetes and others, such as increased water intake and urine output may be alleviated by taking ginger. This spice may also protect nerves in diabetes sufferers and reduce blood fat levels.

Although more research is needed, ginger may also be useful in the treatment of the following disorders:

Bacterial diarrhea

Gout

Menstrual pain

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Ulcers

Fungal infections

Headache

Swelling of the legs and feet

You should avoid ginger if you suffer from heart problems or a blood clotting disorder or if you are taking blood thinning medications. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant