Raw ginger is spicy, pungent, and most definitely an acquired taste. But if you’re one to experiment with spices, you may be surprised by what this root can do for your health.
Eating raw ginger is safe, and can help relieve some common symptoms of gastrointestinal distress like nausea, gas, and heartburn. Gingerol content in fresh ginger has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, raw ginger is rich in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Ginger can be a powerful ally to combat colds and infections by reducing inflammatory enzymes.
In addition, it’s effective in fighting digestive problems, menstrual cramps, and arthritis-based conditions.
This article will explore how raw ginger is beneficial to your overall health, examine the side effects in specific circumstances, and discuss different ways to consume it.
Is Raw Ginger Good for You?
If you’ve ever eaten sushi, you must be familiar with the spicy and flavorful taste of ginger. It often makes its way into savory dishes, tea, ice creams, dessert recipes, cocktails, and more.
But you can also eat raw ginger on its own. It’s one of the healthiest spices with multiple health benefits backed by scientific research.
Let’s take a look
- Raw Ginger Reduces Morning Sickness During Pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant, you may have heard of using raw ginger to reduce morning sickness. But does it work? Fresh ginger has a long history as an anti-nausea treatment for morning sickness in pregnant women and post-operative nausea. Researchers believe ginger triggers an anti-nausea response when consumed by pregnant women in their first trimester. Therefore, you can take up to 1 gram of ginger daily to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. - Raw Ginger May Aid in Weight Loss. Raw ginger can be your next go-to supplement to stay fit! Ginger helps prevent weight gain and reduces other adverse effects of being overweight. According to a small study, overweight men who consumed ginger stayed fuller longer than those who didn’t. That’s because ginger is a natural appetite suppressant that also helps increase the amount of time you feel full. So it becomes convenient to cut back on takeout and other unhealthy eating habits, one of the biggest causes of weight gain and obesity. The effects of ginger on body weight and belly fat (waist-to-hip ratio) are significant. Gingerols promote weight loss as they can accelerate metabolism and improve gastrointestinal transit.
- Raw ginger Lowers Menstrual Cramps. Even the most adventurous among us know that menstrual cramps are no joke. Periods can cause fatigue, cramps, bloating, and even pain. But you can fight it with every tool at your disposal: exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and even raw ginger! Raw ginger helps reduce pain by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, the hormone-like compound that contributes to inflammation and pain, including cramps.
- Raw Ginger May Reduce the Risk of Chronic Diseases. When an overload of free radicals accumulates in the body, it generates oxidative stress. In addition, these free radicals cause damage to your cells and tissues. So there’s an increased risk for health issues like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. In other words, when your body can’t fight off toxins and disease, the cumulative effect can damage your DNA. Research indicates that gingerol, one of the active ingredients in raw ginger, has powerful effects on inflammation and oxidative stress. But still, a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a balanced antioxidant defense system. In addition, ginger is the perfect remedy for people with type 2 diabetes who want to control their blood sugar levels and prevent potential complications. Gingerol is also a potential remedy for various cancers. But only further studies will determine whether this substance can successfully help prevent and treat cancer. Research suggests ginger may help prevent chronic illnesses, including hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- Raw Ginger Reduces the Risk of Oral and Respiratory Infections. Don’t let the common cold keep you down. Try a fresh ginger root before you reach for over-the-counter medications. Fresh ginger can help boost your immune system when you’re suffering from a respiratory ailment. A study shows that fresh ginger may help treat the respiratory syncytial virus. Ginger is not your average root. One of its superpowers is to protect you against infections. Gingerol in fresh ginger can help inhibit the growth of bacteria like E.coli and even fight off some viruses! For instance, ginger’s powerful antibacterial properties may help reduce your risk of gum disease and other oral health problems. In addition, gingerol helps prevent periodontal disease by keeping oral bacteria at bay.
Who Should Avoid Ginger?
Ginger seems like a miracle cure at times as it’s full of health benefits.
People afflicted with seasonal flu, cold, infections, diarrhea, and lousy digestion frequently use raw or dried ginger.
Unfortunately, ginger isn’t for everyone. It can do more harm than good in some cases.
You should avoid ginger if you tick any of the boxes below:
You Are Underweight
Ginger is an excellent remedy if you want to lose weight rapidly without adverse side effects. But if you’re a bit on the skinny side, it may be a good idea to avoid ginger. Why is that?
Ginger has the opposite effect on underweight or malnourished people. For instance, it can cause health conditions like poor muscle mass, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, and vitamin deficiency.
Note: Ginger may be harmful to a child under two years old.
You Have Hemophilia
Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that prevents blood clotting. This condition can cause spontaneous and often uncontrollable bleeding into joints, muscles, and other soft tissues.
If you have hemophilia or any other disorder that makes it difficult for your blood to clot, avoid ginger unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
While ginger promotes healthy blood circulation, it can cause severe bleeding due to enhanced blood circulation in Haemophilia patients.
You’re in Your Last Trimester of Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, the last thing you want to do is worry about whether any of the foods and supplements you’re consuming might harm your baby. So it can be tempting to try anything that might help relieve the discomfort of morning sickness. Ginger seems like a natural choice, right?
Ginger can be an incredible help In the early weeks of pregnancy if you have extreme nausea and weakness.
However, ginger is strictly forbidden during the last trimester as it may cause uterine contractions or premature labor.
You Are on a Specific Medication
Ginger is famous for its medicinal properties and is a popular ingredient in culinary.
But there is some bad news for people on diabetes and high blood pressure medication – ginger can interfere with some medicines and aggravate conditions.
For instance, it may lower your blood sugar or blood pressure to a dangerously low level if you mix it with drugs like beta-blockers, anticoagulants, and insulin.
Although ginger has many health benefits, make sure you get the green light from your doctor before consuming it.
Is Raw Ginger Better Than Cooked Ginger?
Ginger has a long track record as a natural healer. The compounds that give ginger its healing abilities are gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones.
Fresh ginger root contains a high concentration of gingerol, whereas dried ginger is rich in shogoal.
The gingerols transform into zingerones during the cooking process.
Consuming raw ginger is a great way to get all the benefits without losing any nutrients in the cooking process.
Although shogaols contain strong medicinal properties compared to the remaining compounds in ginger, long-term storage and drying can decrease their nutritional content.
So ideally, you should consume ginger in its raw form.
How Much Raw Ginger Should You Eat Daily?
While ginger is a powerful superfood, an overdose can cause burping, heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea.
Doctors and nutritionists advise against eating more than four grams of ginger daily.
If you’re pregnant, your ginger consumption shouldn’t be more than one gram per day.
Note: One gram of ginger is equivalent to one teaspoon of grated raw ginger.
How to Consume Raw Ginger?
Are you searching for ways to use raw ginger in your diet but not sure where to start?
The first step towards incorporating ginger into your meals is becoming confident in your ability to eat it!
We have some simple suggestions below for getting started.
- Fresh ginger adds flavor and fragrance to creamy soups. You can use it to add a spicy edge to any winter soup.
- Ginger offers a fresh, spicy-sweet kick to most stir-fries. It’s especially good with chicken or seafood stir-fries.
- Fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey is the perfect antidote to a cold day. It’s easy to make at home if you have fresh ginger and lemons on hand.
- A combination of tender, flaky fish and spicy ginger makes for the perfect meal.
- Ginger pairs with all kinds of desserts. Ginger chocolate chip cookies are a classic for a reason. Moreover, ginger ale and candy ginger are perfect for the holidays.
Unleash the powerful health benefits of fresh, grated ginger. Its crunchy and spicy taste will add an exciting dimension to your favorite recipes.
Final Thoughts
Eating raw ginger is a healthy way to perk up your immune system. It has been used for centuries to help treat gastrointestinal distress and nausea. You can also use it for pain relief during periods.
So make a raw ginger tea or add grated ginger to your favorite salad, soup, or entrée.
If you are underweight, pregnant, taking medications, or have any medical condition, talk to your doctor first before incorporating raw ginger into your diet.