Ginger extract: what are the benefits?
Ginger has been shown to have a wide range of medicinal benefits. It is useful for treating and preventing many diseases, from the most common to life-threatening. Here is a brief look at the benefits of ginger extract for human health.
Health Benefit:: Motion Sickness
Many people who suffer from motion sickness are well aware of the health benefits of ginger. It is more effective than medications in relieving nausea and vertigo that plague many travelers. It can also be used to relieve morning sickness, without worrying about any unwanted side effects.
Health benefit: Flatulence and IBS
There are many benefits of ginger extract for those who frequently suffer from stomach gas, bloating, and pain. It is useful for treating indigestion and irritable colon.
Recent studies indicate that the benefits of ginger extract extend to heart health. It can help prevent atherosclerosis. It has properties similar to aspirin in that it reduces clotting. It can also help us maintain healthy cholesterol levels and improve circulation. Who knew that one common spice could do so many things?
Health Benefit:: Inflammation
The health benefits of ginger are due to the compound gingerol. The compound is responsible for its pungent fragrance and its anti-inflammatory activity. When you compare supplements, make sure it lists the amount of gingerol in the extract.
Health benefit: Fever and cough
Like aspirin, gingerol can be used to reduce fever and is also a beneficial cough suppressant with no unwanted side effects. An extract must be standardized to at least 5% gingerol content.
Health Benefit:: Arthritis
Some of the ginger extract benefits are for people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is believed that one of the components may be a COX inhibitor. COX is one of the biochemicals that are responsible for inflammation.
Prescription drugs that inhibit COX are accompanied by several unwanted side effects. Some of which are life threatening. Natural anti-inflammatories and COX inhibitors are not accompanied by these risks.
Health benefit:: pain relief, morning stiffness and more
In clinical trials, it has been shown to relieve pain, improve joint motility, decrease swelling and morning stiffness commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It can help relieve lower back pain and migraines. So basically, a lot of the health benefits of ginger are due to the natural pain relief it provides.
Health benefit:: High blood sugar and blood pressure
There may be benefits of ginger extract for those who suffer from high blood sugar and blood pressure, although turmeric, a similar spice, has more evidence to support its use for that purpose. These spices, along with grape seed extract, can help reduce hay fever and similar problems that occur during allergy season. Allergy sufferers would be happy to know that, as these herbal extracts are not accompanied by the drowsiness and other side effects that accompany antihistamines.
Health Benefit:: Combined Herbal Extracts
Some of the best health supplements on the market contain ginger, grape seed, turmeric, olive leaf, pine bark, and over 70 other beneficial nutrients. Combined, these compounds are expected to reduce our risk of cancer and help us live longer, healthier lives. Now that you know a little more about the health benefits of ginger, you might want to check out some of those other extracts.