See the 10 Benefits Of Ginger and It’s Nutritional Values? here. From the ‘Ginger bread man’ nursery rhyme to the powerful and exotic aroma of a spicy garnished dinner, Ginger has become a widely accepted spice to both children and adults worldwide. For some, it’s heavenly, and to others it’s ‘No! No!’ Hold on, should such a nutritious and delightful hot flavour be swept just under the mat? Before discarding the thought of ginger, it is too good to know what you might be missing. First, let’s get to know ginger as it is.
Ginger is widely known as a herb and flowering plant with rhizomes or roots that are simply ginger itself. Its underground roots are what many of us are familiar with when cooking. The ginger plant has narrow green leaves and yellow flowers. It has an underground stems that are able to grow up to one metre in height. It is available in:
- Dried roots
- Powdered ginger. This is made from the dried root or ‘stem’ ginger. The fresh young roots are at times peeled, sliced and cooked in heavy sugar syrup.
- Fresh roots. These provide the freshest taste of ginger.
- Pickled ginger. The roots are sliced into thin pieces and pickled in vinegar.
- Crystallised ginger. It is cooked in sugar syrup; air dried and rolled in sugar.
- Oil or
Ginger has a history in Nigerian cookery. It has for long been used in Zobo a.k.a. Zoborodo drink, Kunu drink, Tamato stew, Jollof rice, etc. Ground and dried ginger is used to bake cakes, cookies etc. Whereas, fresh ginger is used in cooked dishes, soups, teas, etc. Fresh ginger has a more pungent and sharp spicy flavour. When cooked, its taste is mellow and with woody flavour. Some believe that dried ginger tends to be hotter than fresh ginger. Whatever the case, our interest is on the intriguing nature of this unique herb.
Application and usage
Ginger has a wide range of application ranging from food processing to pharmaceuticals, soap making etc. The demand for ginger increases by the day due to its ease in accessibility, convenience to handle and wide range of usage. Nigeria is the third largest exporter of dry ginger in the world after China and India.
1. The health rewards of the sharp flavour spice
Outstandingly, throughout history and the different cultures around the world, ginger frequently tops the list of effective home remedies although its uses are not only limited to edible spice. It is rich in essential nutrients and rejuvenating compounds. Here is a few of the health rewards of ginger that are interesting know.
2. An excellent carminative
Carminative are substances that aid in eliminating excessive gas from the digestive system and sooth the intestinal tract. Interestingly, ginger has long been used in soothing discomfort and pain in the stomach. It is regarded as an excellent carminative and responds well to colic and dyspepsia.
3. Powerful cancer fighter
Ginger is able to treat serious health conditions such as ovarian cancer. On a research carried out by The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Centre, ovarian cells were found to be eliminated by ginger.
Research also shows that ginger is associated with inhibiting the progression of colorectal cancer cells. Statistic shows that those consuming ginger root had lower levels of colon inflammation and inflammation of the intestines, thus reducing the risk of colon cancer. Ginger is believed to outperform some cancer drugs. Studies indicate that prostrate tumour size in mice was observed to be 56% reduced by whole ginger extract.
4. Anti-inflammatory agent
Ginger contains gingerols which are very potent anti-inflammatory compounds. Many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reduced pain and improvements in flexibility when they take in ginger daily. The formations of inflammatory cytokines which are chemical messengers of the immune system are hindered by gingerols.
5. Combat nausea
The symptoms associated with motion sickness such as dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and cold sweating are usually reduced by ginger root. However, there is a note of caution for pregnant women as some studies indicate that it may cause harm to the foetus or increase the mother’s risk of bleeding.
6. Natural cure for cough
Ginger is one of the most popular cures for cough. To ensure potency, the ginger has to be partially sliced and crushed a bit before boiling. Drinking ginger as a tea promotes perspiration, eases sore throats, continuous cough and congestion because of its ability to warmup your internal system while making use of its essential nutrients.
7. Soothe toothache
The use of ginger as a home remedy for toothaches is a tradition that has existed for generations. It provides immediate relief from the tooth pain when rubbing raw ginger into the gums or boiling the ginger root, then letting it cool before using it as a mouth rinse.
8. Headaches and Migraines
Among its other uses, ginger is beneficial in the treatment of headaches and migraines. For natural pain relief, mix one inch piece of ginger with a teaspoon of peppermint and a pinch of cayenne in boiling water. Let the mixture seep for 15 minutes before drinking.
9. Treatment for Skin Treatment
In order to relieve pain, oil made from ginger is sometimes used on the skin. It can also be applied to the skin to prevent insect bites. The fresh juice from ginger is also used to treat burns.
10. Vitamins and Minerals Concoct
Ginger is packed with varieties of nutrients that aid in acquiring a healthy body. Ever thought of the nutritional value of 100g of ginger? Here is what research indicates:
| Carbohydrate
Dietary Fiber Protein Dietary Fiber Sugars Vitamin B6 Calcium Iron Vitamin C Potassium Magnesium Phosphorous Zinc Folate Riboflavin Niacin |
17.77 g
2 g 1.82 g 2 g 1.7 g 0.16 mg 16 mg 0.6 mg 5 mg 415 mg 43 mg 34 mg 0.34 mg 11mcg 0.034 mg 0.74 |
Is Ginger safe for digest?
Ginger is known to be safe with a combination of other food substances. Certainly, it is wise to draw a balance as to the amount of ginger we individually consume in a day. Be aware of the fact that it may cause heartburn and stomach ache for some people. Therefore, it is safe not to consume more than 5 grams per day if you are not to experience discomfort.
If you have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, diabetic or with heart problems always seek the counsel of qualified doctor for advice before consuming.
Nevertheless, ginger has a good number of benefits that far outweigh its possible side effects. A ginger in the mouth is better than a thousand in the bin. When next you come across it: Don’t just wait to consider, grab the delightful gift of nature that brings exoticness to your kitchen!