Whether it’s ground into a powder for cooking, shredded or sliced for pickling, or steeped in boiling water and served as tea, ginger has so many health benefits , that it has become a staple ingredient in kitchens around the world for centuries. 

What’s in Ginger Exactly? A Closer Look at Its Nutrition Facts

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger has:

• 4.8 calories
• 1.07 grams (g) of carbohydrate
• .12 g of dietary fiber
• .11 g of protein
• .05 g fat
• .1 g of sugar

Vitamins and minerals present in fresh ginger in trace amounts:

• Vitamin B3 and B6
• Iron
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Folate
• Riboflavin
• Niacin

Health benefits of ginger.

1. Can treat many forms of nausea, especially morning sickness

Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea, It may help relieve nausea and vomiting for people undergoing certain types of surgery. Ginger may also help chemotherapy-related nausea.

However, it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.

Although ginger is considered safe, talk with your doctor before taking large amounts if you’re pregnant. It’s recommended that pregnant women who are close to labor or who’ve had miscarriages avoid ginger. Ginger is contraindicated with a history of vaginal bleeding and clotting disorders as well .

2. May help with weight loss

According to studies in animals and humans, ginger may help improve weight-related measurements. These include body weight and the waist-hip ratio.

3. May drastically lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors

Ginger has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.

4. Can help treat chronic indigestion

Ginger appears to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.

5. May significantly reduce menstrual pain

Ginger appears to be very effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period.

6. May help lower cholesterol levels

There’s some evidence, in both humans and animals, that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood triglyceride levels.

7. May help prevent cancer

Ginger contains the substance gingerol, which appears to have protective effects against cancer. However, more studies are needed.

8. Can help fight infections

Ginger may help fight harmful bacteria and viruses, which could reduce your risk for infections. For Example it’s very effective against the oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis. These are both inflammatory gum diseases.

Fresh ginger may also be effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory infections

9. May improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s disease

Animal studies suggest that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain. It can also help improve brain function in middle-aged women.

10. Ginger for cold and Cough

Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties along with properties that help increase the body’s immunity. The anti-inflammatory properties help in relieving the pain during sore throats and being a spicy, pungent herb, it also provides heat that the body requires at this point. And by increasing immunity, it also keeps such infections away.

Is ginger safe for everyone?

Although regarded as safe for a broad range of complaints, ginger is a potent herb that acts pharmacologically, so it may be unsuitable for some people, including:

• People with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones
• Those who frequently experience heartburn or acid reflux
• Those with low blood pressure or on blood pressure medications. These individuals should consume ginger in moderation because of its potential blood-pressure-lowering effects