It’s no secret that ginger packs a whole lot of health benefits along with a punch of spice. It turns out, that pungent, tongue-tingling taste is produced in part by compounds called gingerols that have widespread healing effects. Ginger “root” is technically a rhizome, and has been used since ancient times to treat a host of ailments and illnesses. From nausea to cancer, ginger is a multifaceted spice with outstanding healing potential, as supported by significant research. (Source)
Ginger for Digestion
Aside from its sweet, rich spice, ginger is well-known for its ability to alleviate nausea and help with digestion. One study analyzed the digestion-enhancing qualities of ginger by administering ginger meal to male guinea fowl. Results of the study showed that the ginger meal supplementation improved digestibility of dry matter, increased microvilli in the gut and increased amounts of microflora (lactobacillus). (Source) Another study addressed chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting with an assessment of ginger as a viable treatment. In the study, women with advanced breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment were randomly given doses of ginger. The study found a much lower incidence of nausea with the group of women who consumed the ginger, though there was no difference in vomiting incidence. (Source) Another study found ginger to exhibit gastroprotective effects in rats by alleviating gut mucosal damage and promoting ulcer healing. (Source)
Ginger for Cancer Treatment and Prevention
Due to its digestive-supporting abilities, it may come as no surprise that ginger has been found to have anti-proliferative effects on gastrointestinal cancer. One study found 6-gingerol, a main phenolic compound of ginger, to induce cellular apoptosis of GI cancer cells. (Source)
Additionally, much research has found ginger to have widespread preventative effects on other forms of cancer, including skin, ovarian, breast, cervical, oral, renal, prostate, colon, liver, pancreatic, and brain cancer. (Source) 6-gingerol has also been shown to have preventative effects on pancreatic cancer, according to one study that found the phenolic compound to disrupt the cell cycle on pancreatic cancer cell lines. (Source) Another study found 6-shogaol, another phenolic compound present in ginger, to induce cell death of hepatoma cells (source), while another study found 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol to inhibit invasive activity of hepatoma cells. (Source) Yet another study found ginger to downregulate expression of breast cancer genes and breast-cancer cell cycle regulating proteins. The study also found ginger to inhibit the expression of the two prominent molecular targets of cancer. (Source)
Ginger for Diabetes
Mounting evidence has found ginger to have positive effects on type-2 diabetes. One double-blind study administered a 3-month ginger supplementation to type-2 diabetes patients, and found it to improve glycemic indeces significantly. (Source) Another double-blind study found ginger to improve fasting glucose levels, as well as hemoglobin and serum lipid profiles. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Ginger, 1/4 cup (24g), sliced
Calories: 19
Total Carbohydrate: 4g
Dietary Fiber: .5g
Vitamin C: 2% Daily Value
Vitamin B6: 2%
Magnesium: 3%
Potassium: 3%
Copper: 3%
Manganese: 3%