One of the most common spices in our household is ginger. It provides more than a pleasant spice. The compounds in ginger have numerous health benefits for men.
Ginger has been used to relieve nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea for thousands of years, whether as tea, ginger ale, or as a food ingredient. Science has seemed to support these uses and more.
This plant is also high in vitamins and minerals essential for men's health.
[Related: 15 Choline Rich Foods for Better Brain and Liver Health]
What Type of Plant Is Ginger?
Zingiber officinale is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, and its root (or rhizome) is ginger. The ginger plant, along with its siblings' turmeric, cardamom, black cardamom, and grains of paradise, belongs to the Zingiberaceae family.
It is believed that about 5,000 years ago, Austronesian peoples cultivated it and disseminated it over Micronesia and the Pacific using wooden canoes.
Ginger is a small plant but with huge benefits that are well-known among other spices in the world. It can be found in nearly every location with a warm climate, a lot of rain, and lots of sunshine.
Ginger was first planted in Jamaica in 1547 for export to Europe. The majority of the world's ginger is now farmed in India, although the ginger produced in China is said to be of the highest quality.
Ginger is frequently used as a spice or supplement, and it offers numerous health benefits.
It's available in many forms, including:
- Tea
- Fresh
- Root
- Dried up
- Powder
- Capsules/Supplements
- Essential oil
Let’s go over some of its amazing benefits.
The Health Benefits of Ginger
1. Promotes Better Blood Flow and Circulation
Ginger has been shown to boost blood flow, which may in turn increase libido.
Ginger, even via supplementation, has been observed to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, according to research.
Though further research is needed to determine whether this benefit is absolute and conclusive.
2. May Lower Blood Sugar
Recent research has looked into the anti-diabetic properties of ginger, and it appears that it may assist in reducing blood sugar levels.
Forty-one people with type 2 diabetes were given 2 grams of ginger powder per day in a 2015 study. According to the findings, this reduced fasting blood sugar by 12% and considerably decreased HbA1c levels.
However, it's noteworthy to mention that this is just one study; more in-depth research is needed.
3. Minimizes Nausea Symptoms
Ginger has long been known for its ability to alleviate nausea naturally.
Ginger has also been demonstrated to help with nausea and vomiting after surgery and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in studies. It's also been favorably compared with Dramamine in studies on motion sickness.
4. Can Help You Lose Weight
Along with the other excellent benefits we already mentioned, this plant has been shown to aid weight loss in human and animal studies.
Ginger supplementation lowered body weight, waist-hip ratio, and hip ratio in overweight or obese persons, according to a 2019 study.
5. It's Rich in Potassium
Ginger is rich in potassium; 1 tbsp of root ginger contains 24.9 mg of potassium; 100g of root ginger contains 415 mg of potassium.
Although it is rich in potassium, most professionals suggest it should not contribute to or worsen chronic kidney disease since it’s ingested in small amounts.
6. Ginger is Antioxidant-rich and Anti-inflammatory
Ginger is also anti-inflammatory. It can inhibit the production of cytokines, an inflammatory chemical that can cause pain and swelling. Additionally, the compound 6-gingerol is anti-inflammatory in itself.
It also has several antioxidants, the compounds that help us to fend off free radicals and age healthily.
[Related: How Much Antioxidants Per Day: Superfoods and Supplements to Hit Your Optimal Intake]
7. Ginger Can Aid in Digestion
Ginger has long been used to ease digestion and recent studies back this up.
Ginger supplementation was shown to ease or decrease nausea among patients undergoing chemotherapy during a placebo-controlled study. Other studies have found ginger to be helpful for pregnant women experiencing digestive upset.
Related: 26 Foods That Reduce Bloating
8. Ginger Has Antibacterial Properties
Fresh ginger contains Gingerol, a phenol phytochemical compound that may help to keep infections at bay. Studies have backed this up finding that ginger combined with garlic were effective against a wide range of germs and might be able to prevent microbial diseases although more evidence is needed.
Additionally, it’s been shown to be effective against the oral germs linked to gingivitis and periodontitis, two inflammatory gum disorders, according to a 2008 study.
Bottom Line
Ginger provides many health benefits with a few that are especially helpful to males including possible effects on virility and possibly prostate health. This may not come as a surprise to many since it’s been used as a health remedy for thousands of years.
No matter your preference, there’s a form of ginger that should work for you. You can add it to your meals as a spice, brew it into a tea, or take our convenient capsules.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have immediate concerns about your health, please seek the help of your physician.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
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