If you have these diseases, you must not use ginger

Ginger protects against viruses, strengthens immunity, is good for the heart, but some people should not take it.

Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It helps in the fight against colds and flu, lowers fever, has an anti-inflammatory effect, soothes irritating cough, helps with pregnancy nausea, digestive problems. There are studies according to which ginger has the effect of lowering blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol, as well as preventing the formation of blood clots.

The unique smell and taste of ginger comes from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol. Gingerol is the main bioactive compound, responsible for many medicinal properties of ginger.

According to research, gingerol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. For example, it can help reduce oxidative stress, which is the result of an excessive amount of free radicals in the body.

Origin

Ginger is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia. It is among the healthiest and most delicious spices on the planet. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae as turmeric, cardamom and galangal.

Rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part that is usually used as a spice. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, as an oil or juice. It is often used as a spice or ingredient in various dishes, and it is also used in cosmetics.

Protects against disease

Ginger is full of antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress. They can help your body fight chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and lung disease. Ginger is mostly used as a remedy for colds and to improve circulation. Namely, when you feel chills, shivering and other first symptoms of a cold, ginger tea is used as a warming agent.

It fights against pathogenic microorganisms

Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body reject pathogenic microorganisms. They are especially good at stopping the growth of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Shigella, and can also work against viruses such as respiratory cyanosis virus (RSV), which causes inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract.

Keeps your mouth healthy

Ginger’s antibacterial power can also brighten your smile. The active compounds in ginger – gingerols prevent the growth of oral bacteria that can cause periodontal disease, a serious gum infection.

Soothes nausea

The story of old women may be true: Ginger helps if you are trying to alleviate or eliminate nausea, especially during pregnancy. According to the results of 12 studies that included a total of 1,278 pregnant women, 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger can significantly reduce the symptoms of nausea.

Although it is believed that ginger cannot be harmful during pregnancy, still talk to your doctor if you are pregnant and have nausea before you start using it in larger quantities. It is recommended that pregnant women who are close to childbirth or have previously had an abortion avoid ginger.

It is also effective in nausea caused by chemotherapy.

Relieves indigestion

If you have a problem with indigestion, ginger can help. If you take it before a meal, it will speed up the work of the intestines, leaving less time for food to stop in the digestive system and cause problems. Ginger also helps break down and release the accumulated gas in the intestines.

Soothes sore muscles

Ginger will not instantly relieve muscle pain, but with its application, the pain becomes milder over time. This has been shown by some studies. Physically active people with muscle pain who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who did not consume the medicinal root.

Relieves arthritis symptoms

Ginger has an anti-inflammatory effect, which means that it also helps reduce swelling. It may be particularly useful in treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You can get rid of pain and swelling by consuming ginger or using a compress or patch with ginger on the skin.

Suppresses the growth of malignant cells?

Some research shows that bioactive ginger molecules can slow the growth of some cancers such as colorectal, gastric, ovarian. But much more research is needed to determine if this is true.

It lowers blood sugar levels and protects the heart

In a study from 2015, which included 41 participants with type 2 diabetes, by consuming two grams of ginger powder every morning on an empty stomach, they reduced blood sugar by 12 percent.

It also dramatically improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker for long-term blood sugar levels. HbA1c was reduced by 10 percent over a 12-week period.

There was also a 28 percent decrease in apolipoprotein B / ApolipoproteinA-I ratio and a 23 percent decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a byproduct of oxidative stress. High ApoB / ApoA-I ratios and high MDA levels are major risk factors for heart disease.

However, keep in mind that this was just one small study. The results are incredibly impressive, but they need to be confirmed by major research before any recommendations can be made.

• Patients who drink therapy for insulin resistance and diabetes can consume ginger – says Kelly Russell, endocrinologist.

This advice applies to moderate consumption of ginger, and when controlling and determining therapy, be sure to consult a doctor about how to use ginger.

Relieves menstrual pain

Ginger is traditionally used to relieve menstrual pain.

In a 2009 study, 150 women were instructed to take either ginger or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) during the first three days of menstruation.

The three groups received four daily doses of either ginger powder (250 mg), mefenamic acid (250 mg) or ibuprofen (400 mg). Ginger was able to reduce pain as effectively as two NSAIDs.

Reduces the level of bad cholesterol

A daily dose of ginger can help you fight “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking five grams of ginger a day for three months reduced bad cholesterol levels by 17.4 percent.

In an older study from 2008, people who received three grams of ginger powder (in the form of capsules) daily also noticed a significant reduction in cholesterol levels. Their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels dropped by 10 percent over 45 days.

It helps to lose weight

According to research on humans and animals, ginger can help with weight loss. A review of the results from 2019 concluded that the addition of ginger significantly reduced body weight, waist-hip ratio and hip ratio in people with overweight or obesity.

A 2016 study of 80 obese women found that ginger could also help reduce body mass index (BMI) and insulin levels in the blood. Study participants received relatively high daily doses – two grams – of ginger powder for 12 weeks.

Research on functional foods from 2019 also leads to the conclusion that ginger had a very positive effect on obesity and weight loss. However, further research is needed.

Both the good and the healing, when taken in excessive amounts, cease to be useful for health. Taking ginger in large quantities can also worsen digestive problems, heart disease…

Who we are not

Ginger can slow down blood clotting, so Dr. Tijana Dangubić, an endocrinologist, does not advise patients on anticoagulant therapy to consume it.

Taking ginger along with medications that also slow clotting can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Breastfeeding women should not take it either. People with kidney stones, high blood pressure and weight loss (low BMI) should consult a doctor before consuming ginger. Although considered safe for most people, ginger allergy is possible (rare).