Health Benefits of Ginger - What is ginger good for <br /> <br />Health Benefits of Ginger - What is ginger good for? <br /> <br />You may know that ginger is a common ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine, but did you know that it’s been used for centuries for its healing properties? <br /> <br />Ginger has a long history of health benefits, including relief from nausea, digestive issues and pain. <br /> <br />The most commonly used part of the plant for medicinal purposes is the root or underground stem, known as the rhizome. It can be consumed fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, or used in the form of an oil or as juice. <br /> <br />If you don’t use ginger in your kitchen or you don't know what ginger is good for, here are 8 reasons why you might want to start! <br /> <br />1. Ginger Relieves Digestive Issues <br /> <br />The phenolic compounds in ginger have been shown to help relieve irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. <br /> <br />They help to stimulate saliva and bile production while allowing food and fluids to move through the GI tract more smoothly. <br /> <br />In a study of 24 healthy individuals, taking 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach, reducing indigestion by 50%. <br /> <br />2. Ginger Relieves Nausea <br /> <br />Drinking ginger tea or even consuming raw ginger is a common and safe home remedy for nausea, especially during cancer treatment or pregnancy and morning sickness. <br /> <br />A review of 12 studies that included a total of 1,278 pregnant women found that 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger significantly reduced nausea. <br /> <br />3. Ginger Can Relieve Pain <br /> <br />A study conducted at the University of Georgia found that daily ginger supplementation reduced muscle pain by 25%. <br /> <br />Ginger has also been found to reduce pain during menstrual cycles. <br /> <br />Researchers also believe that ginger is effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain. <br /> <br />4. Ginger Reduces Inflammation <br /> <br />Osteoarthritis is a common health problem that involves the degeneration of the joints in the body, causing joint pain and stiffness. In a trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication. <br /> <br />5. Ginger May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease <br /> <br />In a recent study involving participants with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that 2 grams of ginger powder each day lowered blood sugar and led to a 10% overall reduction over a period of 12 weeks. <br /> <br />High blood sugar is a major risk factor for heart disease. <br /> <br />With the effects of ginger on blood sugar, your risk of heart disease may be lowered by at leas 10%. <br /> <br />6. Ginger May Lower Cholesterol Levels <br /> <br />A 45-day study involving 85 people with high cholesterol concluded that 3 grams of ginger powder each day caused significant reductions in cholesterol levels. <br /> <br />Researchers believe that ginger can aid in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. <br /> <br />7. Ginger May Have Anti-Cancer Properties <br /> <br />A substance in ginger known as 6-gingerol has been studied as an alternative treatment for several types of cancer. <br /> <br />Research on this
