11 Benefits of Ginger for Health, Can Prevent Early Dementia, You Know!

The benefits of ginger are beyond doubt. This plant, which can also be used to add a unique flavor to dishes, indeed has many properties, especially when it comes to health.

Ginger contains many beneficial compounds for the body, ranging from vitamins A, B, to C. Ginger also contains organic acids, zingerone, cineole, and oleoresin that are very beneficial for human health.

Benefits of Ginger for Health

Now, to clarify what the benefits of ginger are for us, you can directly check out the following explanations!

1. Boosts Immune System

In this season of frequent rain, especially still in a pandemic situation, we must always maintain our body's condition in good shape. The immune system must always be kept strong to avoid getting sick easily.

Well, you should know that ginger contains compounds that can boost our immune system. Especially if you often experience respiratory issues, ginger is certainly the right plant because consuming ginger regularly can block pathogens that obstruct the respiratory tract.

2. Remedy for Rheumatism

If you think that joint pain or rheumatism is only experienced by the elderly, that is certainly not true. Because, as a relatively young person, you can also be affected by rheumatism.

Ginger can be used to reduce rheumatic pain and even prevent the recurrence of joint pain. This is because ginger contains essential oils that are good for joint health.

No need to drink it, rheumatism treatment with ginger can be done externally. The method is to burn ginger, not too long, just make sure the skin of the ginger is well burned, then apply the burnt ginger to the part of the body with the painful joint.

3. Cures Cough

Curing this illness is certainly no secret. Ginger, which indeed has a spicy and warm taste, can soothe a sore throat, especially dry cough or non-productive cough. Regular consumption of ginger will help make the throat more comfortable because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.

You can consume ginger by boiling it and drinking the ginger water while it is still warm. You can drink it every morning or night before bed to feel warmer.

4. Reduces Nausea

Unpredictable weather, often rainy but can suddenly feel hot, will certainly make the body's condition unstable, even leading to illness. Wind can attack, causing nausea that disrupts activities. This is where ginger is very beneficial to reduce that nausea.

Ginger can also relieve nausea for pregnant women. Ginger can be consumed at a rate of 1 gram per day, regularly. This way, the feeling of nausea and the urge to vomit will surely decrease quickly.

5. Lowers Cholesterol

Cholesterol remains a disease that can lead to serious health issues, especially heart disease, which is the number one killer in the world. Especially for those of us who often consume fatty foods, the likelihood of having high cholesterol is certainly high.

You can utilize ginger to prevent or reduce cholesterol in the body. This is because ginger contains compounds that can lower triglyceride levels in the body.

No need to worry about how to do it because it's very easy. Just make ginger tea by boiling ginger every day. Don't add sugar, just ginger. If you need a taste to make it less spicy, add honey as needed.

6. Fights Bacteria and Viruses

When the pandemic began in early 2020, many people flocked to consume herbal remedies, especially ginger, with the narrative that these medicinal plants could fight the coronavirus. This is not entirely wrong.

Ginger contains curcumin, which can be used to boost the immune system. When immunity increases, the body automatically becomes more resistant compared to those with low immunity. Thus, those of us who often consume ginger will certainly not easily contract viruses.

7. Enhances Brain Function

Another unexpected benefit of ginger is that this plant can enhance brain function, thus avoiding early dementia. Although there has not been an official announcement from the World Health Organization, an alternative medicine institution, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, has conducted research on this.

The study was conducted on dozens of people who were asked to consume ginger regularly every day, and it was proven that their cognitive brain function improved. Brain function became brighter again, especially in middle-aged women. Moreover, consuming ginger does not have excessive side effects on the human body.

8. Reduces Menstrual Pain

The monthly menstrual cycle is often complained about by women, especially when accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Well, this pain can be reduced by regularly consuming ginger.

The benefit of ginger in reducing menstrual pain is due to its content of prostaglandin compounds. This compound is needed by the female reproductive system, and if its quantity is insufficient, it can trigger contractions, leading to pain during menstruation.

9. Reduces Digestive Disorders

As mentioned earlier, ginger can relieve nausea and the urge to vomit. This will also relate to ginger's ability to reduce digestive disorders.

The benefit of ginger in this regard is because this medicinal plant and spice has a distinctive spicy flavor. This flavor will make the stomach more comfortable and the digestive system function properly again.

10. Can Prevent Cancer

The health world has not officially confirmed the benefit of ginger in preventing cancer. However, there is research published by a British nutrition-themed journal, the British Journal of Nutrition, stating that the compounds found in ginger can kill cells that have the potential to become cancerous in the prostate, ovaries, and colorectal area.

A similar statement was made by the American Cancer Association, which consists of several scientists from the University of Michigan. The side effects produced by ginger are even very minimal compared to undergoing chemotherapy, which can damage some body cells and affect health conditions.

11. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

It has not been definitively proven that ginger lowers blood sugar levels in the body. However, several studies have shown that ginger can be used to reduce type 2 diabetes because it can regulate insulin response in diabetic patients.

This is also because ginger can control blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Moreover, ginger can help regulate appetite, thus controlling body weight.

Those are 11 benefits of ginger for health. Very useful, right? Especially when the ginger you consume is red ginger, which contains more beneficial active compounds than regular ginger.

If you want to feel the benefits that are truly felt, it must be consumed regularly, every day.

Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa