(DrEddyClinic News) Earlier this year, I had a day where I experienced a sore throat and sinus irritation. I didn’t reach for a box of any over-the-counter remedy, instead I juiced a fair amount of ginger and lemon http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33580 and added it to a tea. I was very satisfied with the relief I felt.
My experience was nothing new; ginger, or ginger root, has been cultivated and used therapeutically for thousands of years. Traditional medicine systems all over the world have applied it to a wide range of ailments, including calming an upset stomach. Recent studies of ginger have confirmed this effect and much more…
1. Helps Calm Nausea and Vomiting
Clinical studies have proven ginger’s effectiveness at calming nausea and vomiting. [1] Research has also confirmed its potential against chemotherapy http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=91-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The majority of studies found a positive effect against this side effect of aggressive therapies. [2] Ginger may be a powerful option for those suffering from toxic medical procedures like these.
2. Digestive Tract Protection
Ginger has also been historically used for flatulence http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=33581, constipation, bloating http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=32757, and other digestive complaints. In addition to these gastro-protective effects, researchers have found ginger to be effective for stress related ulcers. [3]
3. Brain Health
Ginger contains compounds that have demonstrated protective effects for the brain. One of them, known as 6-Shogaol, inhibited the release and expression of redness-causing chemicals known to cause damage to neurons in both in vitro and in vivo models. [4] The other, 10-gingerol, when sourced from fresh ginger, similarly impacted production of nitric oxide and other chemicals that lead to redness and swelling in the brain. [5]
4. Migraine Relief
In a clinical trial, 100 patients received ginger powder or a drug given to migraine sufferers http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/mm/migraine.php. The results showed the ginger powder helped reduce migraine related discomfort… without side effects. [6]
5. Protection from UV Rays
Research data has shown ginger possesses UV absorbing capabilities that protect against DNA damage related to UVB (ultraviolet-B) light. Extracts from ginger stimulated antioxidant http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=32801 production, suggesting protective effects against potentially damaging UV light. [7]
6. Supports Stable Blood Sugar
Ginger has repeatedly demonstrated powerful blood sugar balancing effects. It acts on insulin release and sensitivity, and supports the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. [8] In one study, insulin levels noticeably lowered with ginger supplementation. [9] In addition to its effectiveness as a blood sugar stabilizer, ginger has also demonstrated powerful protective effects against diabetic kidney, eye and liver complications http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=33177.
7. Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure
Thai medical practitioners have traditionally used herbs such as ginger to support healthy blood pressure. Extracts from ginger and other herbs used in Thai therapeutic recipes were evaluated for their effectiveness against hypertension http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/hh/highbloodpressure.php. The ginger extract was the most effective. [10]
8. May Benefit Osteoarthritis
A recent in vitro study tested ginger against drugs used for osteoarthritis — the ginger extract was demonstrated to be as effective. [11] Another study involving 43 osteoarthritis patients found ginger to be as effective and more safe than the NSAIDs. [12]
9. Helps with Muscle Aches and Discomfort
A recent 2013 study has evaluated ginger for use in relieving muscle discomfort in female athletes. Over the course of this 6-week trial, participants taking ginger reported a significant decrease in muscle soreness as compared to the placebo. [13]
10. May Benefit Cardiovascular Function
One of the active compounds in ginger, 6-gingerol, has been isolated, tested and determined an active factor in regulating blood pressure and supporting cardiovascular health. Based on the results, researchers are exploring the potentials of ginger as a remedy for cardiovascular problems. [14]
Using Ginger
Ginger has an extremely robust flavor which makes consuming it a little bit tricky. It might be too strong to ingest on its own, but as I mentioned, it mixes incredibly well into tea or juice, it can also be a great ingredient in a recipe. What’s your favorite way to consume it? Please leave a comment below and share with us!
by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Palatty PL, Haniadka R, Valder B, Arora R, Baliga MS. Ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting: a review http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23638927. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(7):659-69. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.553751.
2. Marx WM, Teleni L, McCarthy AL, Vitetta L, McKavanagh D, Thomson D, Isenring E. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23550785. Nutr Rev. 2013 Apr;71(4):245-54. doi: 10.1111/nure.12016. Epub 2013 Mar 13.
3. Haniadka R, Saldanha E, Sunita V, Palatty PL, Fayad R, Baliga MS. A review of the gastroprotective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23612703. Food Funct. 2013 Jun;4(6):845-55. doi: 10.1039/c3fo30337c. Epub 2013 Apr 24.
4. Ha SK, Moon E, Ju MS, Kim DH, Ryu JH, Oh MS, Kim SY. 6-Shogaol, a ginger product, modulates neuroinflammation: a new approach to neuroprotection http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465818. Neuropharmacology. 2012 Aug;63(2):211-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.03.016. Epub 2012 Mar 23.
5. Ho SC, Chang KS, Lin CC. Anti-neuroinflammatory capacity of fresh ginger is attributed mainly to 10-gingerol http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23871076. Food Chem. 2013 Dec 1;141(3):3183-91. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.06.010. Epub 2013 Jun 11.
6. Mehdi M, Farhad G, Alireza ME, Mehran Y. Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23657930. Phytother Res. 2013 May 9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4996.
7. Thongrakard V, Ruangrungsi N, Ekkapongpisit M, Isidoro C, Tencomnao T. Protection from UVB Toxicity in Human Keratinocytes by Thailand Native Herbs Extracts http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23931284. Photochem Photobiol. 2013 Aug 12. doi: 10.1111/php.12153.
8. Li Y, Tran VH, Duke CC, Roufogalis BD. Preventive and Protective Properties of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) in Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Complications, and Associated Lipid and Other Metabolic Disorders: A Brief Review http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23243452. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:516870. doi: 10.1155/2012/516870. Epub 2012 Nov 22.
9. Mahluji S, Attari VE, Mobasseri M, Payahoo L, Ostadrahimi A, Golzari SE. Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on plasma glucose level, HbA1c and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23496212. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Sep;64(6):682-6. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2013.775223. Epub 2013 Mar 18.
10. Manosroi A, Lohcharoenkal W, Khonsung P, Manosroi W, Manosroi J. Potent antihypertensive activity of Thai-Lanna medicinal plants and recipes from “MANOSROI III” database http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23869399. Pharm Biol. 2013 Jul 22.
11. Ribel-Madsen S, Bartels EM, Stockmarr A, Borgwardt A, Cornett C, Danneskiold-Samsøe B, Bliddal H. A synoviocyte model for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: response to Ibuprofen, betamethasone, and ginger extract-a cross-sectional in vitro study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23365744. Arthritis. 2012;2012:505842. doi: 10.1155/2012/505842. Epub 2012 Dec 31.
12. Drozdov VN, Kim VA, Tkachenko EV, Varvanina GG. Influence of a specific ginger combination on gastropathy conditions in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22784345. J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Jun;18(6):583-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0202.
13. Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, Feizi A, Hariri M, Darvishi L, Barani A, Taghiyar M, Shiranian A, Hajishafiee M. Influence of ginger and cinnamon intake on inflammation and muscle soreness endued by exercise in Iranian female athletes http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23717759. Int J Prev Med. 2013 Apr;4(Suppl 1):S11-5.
14. Liu Q, Liu J, Guo H, Sun S, Wang S, Zhang Y, Li S, Qiao Y. [6]-gingerol: a novel AT? antagonist for the treatment of cardiovascular disease http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23479389. Planta Med. 2013 Mar;79(5):322-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1328262. Epub 2013 Mar 11.
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