Can you eat ginger raw?
In this short article, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you eat ginger raw?” with an in-depth analysis of ginger, the health benefits and risks of eating ginger.
Can you eat ginger raw?
Yes, you can eat ginger raw. Raw ginger might not have a delicious taste, but it can provide multiple health benefits. It has strong healing powers, thus is effectively used to treat certain health conditions.
What is ginger?
Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is a flowering plant that is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and is closely linked to turmeric and cardamom.
Ginger can be eaten fresh, dried, powdered, or as an extract. It is a pretty common ingredient in cooking. It is sometimes used in processed foods and cosmetics. The commonly used part of ginger is its rhizome, which is mainly used for flavouring. It is one of the healthiest spices.
Ginger is packed with powerful ingredients that play important roles in the body. It is not only used as a food but also as a medicine for thousands of years and is still the best treatment for loose stools and morning sickness.
The health benefits of ginger
Ginger has powerful medicinal properties
Ginger has long been used to promote digestion and to cure flu and the common cold.
It has a distinct flavour that comes from its inherent oils, the most notable of which is gingerol.
Gingerol is the principal bioactive composite found in ginger. It is accountable for many of the medicinal characteristics of ginger.
It has been found out that gingerol has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. For example, it may help overcome oxidative stress, which is due to the excess amount of free radicals in the body.
Ginger can treat nausea, particularly morning sickness
Ginger may help ease nausea and vomiting. It may be the most effective to reduce pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness and is also helpful for chemotherapy-related nausea.
Ginger may help reduce weight
Ginger may help in weight loss and can effectively decrease body mass index (BMI) and insulin concentration. Higher levels of blood insulin are linked to obesity.
The influence of ginger on weight loss may be due to the ginger’s ability to increase the number of calories burned or reduce inflammation.
Ginger may help with Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common health problem that involves degeneration of the joints in the body, resulting in symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness.
People who eat ginger noticed a meaningful decline in pain and disability due to osteoarthritis.
Ginger may reduce the risk of heart disease
Ginger has been found to have powerful anti-diabetic properties and also reduces blood sugar levels.
Ginger can help treat chronic indigestion
Chronic indigestion is characterized by repetitive pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. It is considered that delayed emptying of the stomach is a primary reason for indigestion. Interestingly, ginger helps to promote the emptying of the stomach.
Ginger may significantly reduce menstrual pain
Dysmenorrhea refers to pain observed during a menstrual cycle. One of the popular uses of ginger is curing pain, including relief from menstrual pain.
It has been found out that ginger is equally effective as drugs such as mefenamic acid and acetaminophen/ibuprofen.
Ginger may help lower cholesterol levels
A high concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein, also known as bad cholesterol, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
The foods we eat can have a strong impact on cholesterol levels. Ginger extract has been found to lower LDL cholesterol levels to the same degree as atorvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug.
Ginger may help prevent cancer
Raw ginger consists of gingerol in higher amounts which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
Due to this property, it has been considered as an alternative cure for certain forms of cancer including pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and liver cancer.
Ginger may improve brain activity
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can stimulate the ageing process and hence are amongst the principal causes of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive problems.
Antioxidants and bioactive compounds found in ginger can repress inflammatory responses in the brain, thus, directly improving brain activity.
Ginger can help combat infections
Gingerol present in ginger can also help reduce the risk of certain infections.
Ginger extract can hinder the growth of different bacteria. It effectively kills the oral bacteria associated with gingivitis and periodontitis, both of which are inflammatory gum diseases.
Fresh ginger has also been found to be useful against the respiratory syncytial virus, which causes respiratory infections.
Risks of eating ginger
Consumption of ginger in higher amounts can cause mild side effects such as:
- Heartburn
- Diarrhoea
- Burping
- Stomach discomfort
Conclusion
In this short article, we have provided an answer to the question, “Can you eat ginger raw?” with an in-depth analysis of ginger, the health benefits and risks of eating ginger.
