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Ginger - Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits, Uses
The ginger root has been used as a spice and medicine for centuries. It has a sweet, fragrant smell and is slightly spongy. The rhizome of the ginger plant is about 2-4 inches long with an inverted V-shaped section at the apex. You can grow ginger from an established root or buy it as a nursery plant from your garden center or a plant nursery.
Many cultivars of ginger have different colors, shapes, and smells. Ginger is used in many cuisines across the world. If you are looking for ways to warm up, add flavor to your meals, or relax after a stressful day - this article is for you! Read on to learn about what health benefits you get from eating ginger, its uses, and its nutritional value.
What is Ginger?
Ginger is a rhizome of the plant. It belongs to the same family as turmeric. The ginger plant grows in tropical areas like India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The ginger rhizome is about 2-4 inches long and may be with different weights.
The root of ginger has a fibrous outer skin that you can peel off. You can also buy ginger roots as a root crop. Ginger is used in many cuisines across the world. It is used as a spice, a herb, and a medicine. It is also used as an ingredient in Ayurvedic formulas and Chinese medicines.
In Asian cultures, it is used traditionally as a digestive aid. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties. Ginger is also a source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It is also rich in volatile aromatic oils containing gingerol and zingerone, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It is most popular among health cautious people due to its such properties.
What Are the Health Benefits of Ginger?
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that can aid digestion - it is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness and pregnancy nausea.
Ginger is also used to improve blood circulation, relieve bloating, and ease digestive issues. It can also help heal injuries and prevent infection.
Ginger is beneficial for your heart. It can help prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood clots that can lead to strokes.
Ginger is also beneficial for your metabolism. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent certain diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Ginger can reduce nausea and boost your appetite. It can also help you get more nutrients from your food.
Nutritional Value of Ginger
Ginger has a similar composition to that of turmeric, an Asian spice that is also rich in antioxidants. The two are botanically related but look quite different. Turmeric is an orange to yellow colored rhizome, while ginger is a lighter brown.
Ginger contains vitamin B-2, vitamin B-6, folic acid, and dietary fiber. Vitamin B-2 can improve your heart health by preventing high cholesterol and blood pressure. Vitamin B-6 also plays a crucial role in metabolism and energy production by the body.
Folic acid is crucial for normal brain development in infants and children. It is also vital for good metabolism and maintenance of health. Fiber is essential for digestive health and strengthens your immune system, preventing diseases and infections.
Uses of Ginger
Ginger is a common ingredient in Indian curries but can also be used as a substitute for sugar, spice, or fresh ginger. Ginger has a similar taste to fresh ginger, so it can easily be substituted in recipes. Indian cuisine is one place where you can find a lot of uses for ginger.
You can use it to add a warm, spicy flavor and balance certain ingredients sourness. Ginger has many health benefits, so it is an excellent addition to your diet. You can also use ginger to make drinks, like ginger ale and gingerbread lattes.
You can also use ginger in soups, stews, and oatmeal. It has a subtle flavor that goes well with many dishes. You can also use ginger to prevent vomiting.
Take a pinch and put it in your mouth. You can also buy some pre-built ginger supplements where you can crush the ginger and use it as per your taste and convenience. It is getting very famous these days. Dry Ginger and its powder is also equally useful in Ayurveda.
How to Cook Ginger for Health Benefits?
Ginger rhizomes can be used to make tea. To make ginger tea, you can boil the rhizome in water or boil it in a cup with honey or sugar. When using ginger in your cooking, make sure you do everything right. You can grate ginger or just crush it to make tea or other drinks.
Overcooking or burning the ginger root can cause it to lose its flavor and smell, and the benefits of ginger may not be present. You can also use ginger in soups, stews, curries, and sauces. Another way to use ginger is to grate it and add it to oatmeal, yogurt, or peanut butter sandwiches. You can also try grilling ginger and using the ginger as a pep pill.
Conclusion
Ginger is one of the oldest spices known to man. It has been used as a tonic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial agent. It can be a dietary supplement for diabetes, digestive diseases, and nausea. It can also be used as a natural remedy for colds and allergies. Regular use of ginger can prove highly useful in keeping the body fit and healthy. You can also go for dry ginger or its powder which also carries the same nutritional values and health benefits like root or raw ginger. In many Asian countries, ginger is a prime element used in making various dishes. The health benefits of this vegetable are known to experts, and hence they also recommend the same in different ways. In a nutshell, it does not matter how you use ginger, but its use can immensely help keep you healthy. If you cannot add it to any dish, add it to a glass of water and drink it for the desired benefits.
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