The healing power of ginger

Written By Molly Kimball

For more on the health benefits ginger, plus turmeric and cinnamon, check out my FUELED Wellness + Nutrition podcast here.

Fresh, dried, powdered, juiced or even candied, if you love ginger, you’ll love this:  Five science-backed health benefits of this favorite spice, plus how to get more into our diets. 

5 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Ginger 

1. Anti-inflammatory effects due to gingerol, the main bioactive compound in ginger. Combatting inflammation can help improve muscle pain, soreness, symptoms of osteoarthritis,

2. Effective nausea treatment, including sea sickness, morning sickness, and nausea related to chemo treatments

3. Linked to an improvement in blood sugar control, including fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (a marker of long-term blood glucose control).

4. May improve symptoms of PMS

5. Gingerol can help to lower the risk of infections, inhibiting the growth of certain types of bacteria

Ginger: How to Add More Into Our Diets

  • Candied Ginger – recipe here 

  • Ginger Tea: Hot water + ginger 

  • Grated or pureed for stir-fries, soups, sauces

  • Juiced – can freeze into cubes to add to smoothies

  • Pickled ginger – look for varieties with less sodium 

Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian and nutrition journalist in New Orleans and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles and  TV segments at www.mollykimball.com.

Molly Kimball
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