What Does Ginger Do for You? 10 Health Benefits of the New Superfood
6 minute read
These days, it seems everyone is trying to identify the next great “superfood.” From kale and cabbage to berries and herbs, many different foods are being hailed as the next great thing. You may not have considered ginger, though, largely because it isn’t associated with health as much as vegetables or fruits.
But if you didn’t know, ginger can be a powerful health booster. Here is what you need to know about how ginger can affect your health, and the ways this root can benefit your entire body.
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Chronic inflammation is one of the worst conditions from which your body can suffer. It can affect almost all areas of your health, from cardiovascular to digestive function.
Keeping inflammation at bay is important if you want to maintain an efficient routine and not get bogged down by joint or muscle discomfort, headaches, or any of the other negative side effects that are associated with inflammation.
Ginger can help reduce inflammation, so enjoying a relaxing ginger tea can be a great way to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with inflammation.
2. Potassium
This nutrient is crucial when it comes to regulating your blood pressure. It can also help keep your pH balanced, which has numerous health benefits, including supporting healthy cardiovascular function.
Ginger is loaded with potassium, so if you’re looking to maintain a heart-healthy diet, ginger could be a great addition to your spice rack.
3. Manganese
Responsible for bone health among other benefits, manganese is a mineral that isn’t often mentioned alongside some of the more well-known vitamins. Still, it’s a powerful health booster that helps with bone health and so much more.
It can promote healthy thyroid function, kick-start metabolism, and even help regulate sugar levels. It’s a powerful digestive booster that can assist in weight loss efforts, and ginger is a great source.
4. Copper
This mineral helps your body absorb collagen and produce energy. Copper is a vital part of kidney function, brain function, as well as heart and liver health.
Many of your internal organs contain copper, and ginger is a copper-rich root. So adding ginger to your diet can help boost the function of many important organs within your body.
5. Vitamin C
Perhaps the most well-known vitamin and a powerful immune booster, vitamin C is most often associated with citrus fruits like oranges or lemons and limes.
But vitamin C is in great supply in ginger, so loading up on a ginger-based tea or even simply adding ginger to your next soup or stew can help boost your immunity and even increase energy levels.
6. Magnesium
Also important for bone health, magnesium is one of the best things that ginger has to offer. It’s been shown to help with heart health as well as reducing anxiety levels, and it can even help reduce headaches.
| Related: Magnesium: The Miracle Mineral for Anxiety |
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals when it comes to your health, and ginger is full of it, so keep that in mind the next time you consider a dish that involves ginger.
7. Vitamin B
This vitamin has been linked to a wide variety of health benefits, including cognitive function. Vitamin B can help protect your brain health, and ginger contains vitamin B in great supply.
In addition to brain health, vitamin B can help your body break down food and convert it into energy. If you’ve noticed yourself feeling fatigued, it could be a deficiency of vitamin B, so adding ginger to your diet could be a remedy to this situation.
8. Phosphorus
One of the best ways to help your bone health is to make sure you are getting an adequate amount of phosphorus. It can help your cell-repairing mechanisms, which are essential when it comes to keeping your bones strong and protecting against health issues that can cause joint discomfort.
Phosphorus also helps with digestion by reducing harmful toxins, and it can boost your metabolism to assist weight-loss efforts as well.
9. Niacin
A powerful heart-health booster, niacin has been shown to help reduce the risk of numerous cardiovascular issues, but it has other benefits as well.
It can help with skin health by promoting the healthy function of skin cells. It can also improve cognitive health and provide clean energy to your body throughout the day. Because of its numerous benefits, niacin is not to be overlooked when it comes to your health.
10. Fiber
One of the best things you can do for your digestion is to eat a good amount of fiber. Your digestive tract, also known as your gut, contains trillions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are good, and some of them are bad.
It’s perfectly natural to have both good and bad bacteria in your digestive tract, but it’s important to keep the ratio at the right balance.
The Bottom Line
With the many benefits that come from a diet high in ginger, now may be a good time to reassess whether it is a superfood or not.
Consider adding ginger to your regular grocery routine, and you might notice some of these benefits for yourself. From heart health to brain function and great skin, ginger is a great way to feel the way you should.
