13 Compelling Health Benefits of Ginger

Did you know that there is so much more to ginger than ale and gingerbread houses?

Ginger may be one of the most powerful, yet widely available, affordable, and commonly used superfoods in the world. The health benefits of ginger include improving your digestion, reducing nausea, boosting your immune system, fighting disease, reducing pain and improving your cognition.

But what is ginger, what science-backed health benefits does it offer, and how do you use it? Here are the top 15 compelling reasons to always keep this ingredient stocked in your kitchen.

What Is Ginger?

Ginger is one of the most powerful - yet commonly used - spices in the world. It’s often used as a spice for main dishes or as an addition to tea and is known for its rich, spicy flavor and unique health benefits. It has been used for nearly 5,000 years in India and China for its medicinal properties and later became a popular commodity in Europe, starting with the Roman Empire trade.

Just like another favorite potent spice, turmeric, ginger belongs to the rhizome family. This means that it is an underground stem that grows horizontally and forms roots downwards while growing leaves and sprouting stems on the top.

It’s unbelievable that ginger may hve 115 different chemical components. Gingerol is the most important of them, lending its health benefits to ginger. The inflammation-reducing properties of this ancient spice have been examined by countless scientists and have been credited for it’s healing characteristics all around the world.

13 Surprising Health Benefits of Ginger 

Ginger is considered a superfood for its ability to benefit your health in so many ways. It may improve your digestion, reduce nausea, lower inflammation, boost your immune system, fight disease and so much more.

Let’s take a look at some of the top health benefits of ginger, here:

1. It May Reduce Nausea

There have been numerous studies done on the benefits of ginger for nausea and upset stomach. Ginger may help relieve pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, postoperative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea and even motion sickness.

2. It May Reduce Inflammation In Your Body

Ginger may reduce and prevent inflammation in your body, preventing and improving all kinds of disease as a result.

A 2011 study found that ginger helped reduce inflammation related to osteoarthritis. According to another study from the same year, ginger also helped lower inflammation in participants. For more day to day applications, researchers also found that ginger helped reduce inflammation and pain due to excessive exercise and helped decrease inflammation in overweight patients. These studies are promising, and may mean that ginger may be able to reduce inflammation in your body.

3. It May Improve Your Immune System

Ready to get ahead of flu season this year?

Ginger may improve your immune system. It may help you prevent and recover from colds, flus and bacterial and viral infections. It may even protect your body from more serious diseases.

4. It May Reduce Muscle Pain

If you are an athlete, exercise regularly or are going on a big hike, ginger may be your best friend.

We hinted to it in point #2, but post-workout pain may essentially be a short-term inflammation. And a 2008 and 2011 study both have found that ginger may improve pain caused by exercise. Even better, a benefit of ginger is to potentially help delay muscle pain onset by 25%, according to a 2010 study.

5. It May Boost Your Cognition

Ginger may improve your cognitive abilities, memory and brain power. Research suggests that the antioxidants in ginger may inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain and may enhance brain function, memory, and reaction time in middle-aged people. 

A natural way to combat aging? We love that ginger could protect against age-related decline in brain function.

6. It May Improve Your Digestion

Ginger may be incredibly beneficial for your digestive system. This is one of the main benefits of ginger and one of the reasons why you often find this powerful spice in health drinks, fresh juices, kombucha and more.

Several studies have found that ginger may help gastric emptying. According to research, ginger may improve infant diarrhea and reduce inflammation in the colon.

7. It May Reduce your Cholesterol

A 2008 study has found that ginger may improve your cholesterol levels. As a result, ginger may protect your heart and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

8. It May Fight Off Rapid Weight Gain and Obesity

A 2012 study found that ginger may decrease appetite in overweight patients which may lead to weight loss and the prevention of obesity.

Pair it with your lemon water for the ultimate daily detox and weight loss boost.

9. It May Ease Pregnancy Pain

Pregnancy, especially the first trimester, may come with uncomfortable symptoms, such as frequent nausea and vomiting. Just as we mentioned, ginger may help improve general digestion functions, and this doesn’t exclude pregnant women, who may be particularly interested in a natural solution.

Several studies have found that ginger may relieve pregnancy-related nausea, vomiting and morning sickness.

10. It May Reduce Menstrual Pain

A 2009 study found that taking only 1 gram of ginger may help reduce menstrual pain as effectively as ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medication during the first 3 days of your period.

You may even start drinking ginger tea and cooking with this spice a few days leading up to your period to help get on top of the pain.

11. It May Protect Heart Health

A 2015 study found that taking ginger may result in a significant reduction in major risk factors for hearts disease, such as oxidized lipoprotein markers in participants. 

12. Ginger May Protect Against Infections

Gingerol is a bioactive compound in fresh ginger. One of its benefits is that it may help decrease the risk of infection.

13. Ginger May Benefit Oral and Dental Health

Since ginger may prevent and fight infections, it may be beneficial to your oral and dental health. Research has found that ginger may effectively fight oral bacteria linked to inflammatory gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

How Should I Use Ginger?

Ginger may be found and used in many forms, including raw, as an essential oil, a supplement, a hard candy, in tea, in powder form and in superfood mixes, such as our very own Organifi Gold.

Raw Ginger: A Natural Way to Experience the Health Benefits of Ginger

Raw ginger is easy to find in most grocery stores and health food stores and is usually quite affordable, especially considering that a little ginger goes a long way.

Raw ginger may be a perfect part of any green juice - just add 1-2 inches into your juicer with your other ingredients  - or you may make ginger juice shots, either by juicing a knob of ginger or juicing a knob of ginger along with half an apple. Raw ginger is perfect for making ginger tea. You may also add sliced or shredded ginger to your dressings, dips, Asian-inspired dishes and yes, your ginger cookies as well.

Ginger Tea: A Warming Way to Experience the Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger tea is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy the health benefits of ginger. It is perfect for relieving nausea and 2-3 cups a day may be very effective for inflammation. It's best to make ginger tea with raw ginger, but ginger powder works too.

Try these two fantastic recipes to experience the health benefits of ginger tea:

Ginger Tea

Cinnamon Ginger Tea

Ginger Powder: A No-Frills Kitchen Staple

Ginger powder may be commonly found in the spice section of any grocery store. It is the powdered form of dried ginger. It is perfect for curries, Asian inspired recipes, gingerbread, ginger tea, juices and any dishes or drinks with ginger.

Make sure to buy high-quality ginger to receive the most health benefits.

Organifi Gold: Ginger + Superfood Health Benefits

Organifi Gold uses the power of ginger, but also includes 10 other superfoods, including turmeric, cinnamon, Reishi mushrooms and turkey tail to bring you countless health benefits. Mixing it with hot water creates a delicious warming drink that tastes just like a cookie, but its good for you, thanks to those 11 superfoods. You may also mix it with cold water, green juices, smoothies, raw food, and baked good recipes.

Sipping on a daily glass or mug of Organifi Gold may help ease the pain in your body, reduce inflammation, help you sleep, relax your muscles, aid your digestion, boost your immune system, improve your brainpower and support healthy blood sugar levels.

Try These Recipes to Experience the Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger Smoothie with Mangos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ice 
• 1 cup packed kale 
• 1 cup packed spinach
• 1 tbsp Organifi Gold 
• 1.5 cups ripe fresh or frozen mango cubes 
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 lemon's juice
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups filtered water

Directions:

• Crush the ice first, then add all other ingredients. Blend well.

Ginger Bliss Ball 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut 
• 1/2 - 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Organifi Gold 
• 1 1/2 cups dates 
• 3 tbsp of cacao powder
• A pinch of salt 
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients and form them into balls or bars if you desire.

Ginger Quinoa

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cooked quinoa (1 cup of dry quinoa and 2 cups of water)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp Organifi Gold 
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• optional: 1/8 cup of pine nuts
• optional: chopped green onions

Directions:

• Cook the quinoa for 10 - 15 mins.
• Let it cool until it's only warm, but not hot.
• Add and mix in other ingredients. Fluff with a fork. Enjoy. 

Try our other ginger recipes:

• No Bake Vegan Ginger Cookies
• Almond Ginger Smoothie
• Sweet Potato Curry Soup
• Pho Vietnamese Soup
• Ginger-Garlic Hot Lemonade
• Chamomille-Ginger Popsicle
• Ginger Hot Balls

Frequently Asked Questions about Ginger and the Health Benefits of Ginger

Q. What is the difference between ginger and ginseng?

A: Ginger and ginseng are not the same. Ginger, as described earlier, is a rhizome originally from Asia, used to aid digestion issues, nausea, inflammation, infections, among other issues. Ginseng, also a powerful superfood, is an adaptogen used for fatigue, stress, asthma, among other conditions.

Q. What is the difference between ginger and turmeric?

A: Ginger and turmeric are both rhizomes. They are both from and traditionally used in Asia for their medicinal properties. Though they look similar, ginger is larger and thicker with a light brown, greyish color, whereas turmeric may be recognized by its deep golden orange tone.

Ginger and turmeric both have a very distinct yet different pungent, strong flavor, turmeric being more earthy and ginger is spicier. They are both readily available as powders in the spice section, but turmeric is much harder to find fresh than ginger is. They are both known for remedying inflammation. Ginger is also well-known for its benefits for digestive issues. In many recipes, like ginger-turmeric teas, ginger and turmeric are used in combination for their remedying benefits. They are both important ingredients in our Organifi Gold Juice for this very reason.

Q. Is there anyone who should NOT use ginger?

Ginger is thought to be safe for most people.

There is not enough information about whether its safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so talk to your doctor. Ginger may increase your insulin levels, may increase bleeding and may worsen certain heart conditions. Ginger may interfere with medications that slow blood clotting, decrease blood sugar, are used for diabetes, and reduce blood pressure. If you are dealing with any of these conditions and/or taking any of these medications or are otherwise concerned about your health, talk to your doctor for advice.

Q. What does the ginger plant look like?

A: Ginger may grow a meter tall with narrow green leaves and yellow flowers. Being a rhizome, it has an underground stem that grows horizontally and forms roots downwards while growing leaves and sprouting stems on the top.

Q. How do you store ginger?

A: You mat store fresh ginger in a paper or ziplock bag in your fridge for a few weeks or freeze it tightly sealed in a ziplock bag for a few months. Minced ginger may be stored or frozen similarly in airtight containers. Powdered ginger should be kept in a cool and dry place in your pantry or shelf.

Keep your supplements and superfood mixes, like Organifi Gold in a dry and cool place as well.

Q. How do you grow ginger?

A: After buying your ginger root, you need to cut the root into pieces then let the cuts heal.

After choosing a 12" pot, filling it with well-prepared quality soil and selecting a location ideally around 71-77 F, plant your ginger pieces 8 inches apart from each other. By watering it, keep your soil moist and watch for germination. Once sprouted, you may replant them outside, but make sure your soil is not below 50 F. Young ginger root may be harvested usually 3-4 months after planting, normally late summer or early fall.

Conclusion

Ginger is one of the most powerful superfoods that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, including its ability to improve your digestion, reduce nausea, lower inflammation, boost your immune system and fight disease. You may use ginger fresh, powdered, as an essential oil, in a tea, in juices and smoothies, in delicious warming dishes, in healthy cookies and baked goods, in a form of supplements and as part of a superfood mix, like Organifi Gold.

Organifi Gold is a delicious, healthy, warming superfood juice mix that tastes like cookies, yet thanks to 11 superfoods - including ginger! - it may ease the pain in your body, reduce inflammation, help you sleep, relax your muscles, aid your digestion, boost your immune system, improve your brain power and lower your blood sugar.

Mix it with a glass of hot water for a warming fall or winter drink. It will make your body, mind, and soul feel happy and alive.

If you try it, be sure to share your experiences with us. We always love hearing your success stories. And remember, we're in this health journey together.