HEALTH AWARENESS Food is thy Medicine - Ginger December, 2017

Ginger is a popular ingredient in cooking, and especially in Asian and Indian cuisine. It has also been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Possible health benefits include relieving nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness, and pain.The root or underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant can be consumed fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, in oil form, or as juice. Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family, alongside cardamom and turmeric. It is commonly produced in India, Jamaica, Fiji, Indonesia, and Australia.

                           It is available fresh and dried, as ginger extract and ginger oil, and in tinctures, capsules, and lozenges. Foods that contain ginger include gingerbread, cookies, ginger snaps, ginger ale, and a wide variety of savory recipes.

Fast facts on ginger:

                           Ginger has long been used for culinary and medicinal purpose. Possible health benefits include reducing nausea, pain, and inflammation. Ginger can be used to make tea, chopped or crushed in curries and savory dishes, and dried or crystalized in sweets and confectionary.

6 health benefits

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many

lifestyle-related health conditions. However, some herbs and spices may offer additional health benefits. One of these is ginger. Scientific analysis shows that ginger contains hundreds of compounds and metabolites, some of which may  contribute to health and healing. Of these, the gingerols and shogaols have been most extensively researched.

Digestion, Nausea, Cold and flu relief, Pain reduction, Inflammation, Cardiovascular health

Nutritional content

Ginger provides a variety of vitamins and minerals:

In 100 grams (g) of fresh ginger root, there are: 79 calories, 17.86 g of carbohydrate, 3.6 g of dietary fiber, 3.57 g of protein, 0 g of sugar, 14 mg of sodium, 1.15 g of iron, 7.7 mg of vitamin C, 33 mg of potassium

Other nutrients found in ginger  are:

vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, riboflavin, niacin

Fresh or dried ginger can be used to flavor foods and drinks without adding unnecessary salt or sugar. Since it is often consumed in such small amounts, ginger does not add significant quantities of calories, carbohydrate, protein, or fiber.

How to eat more ginger

Other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in ginger that that are beneficial to health include gingerols, beta-carotene, capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate. Ginger pairs well with many different types of seafood, oranges, melon, pork, chicken,  pumpkin, rhubarb, and apples, to name a few. When buying fresh ginger, look for a root with smooth, taut skin, with no wrinkles, and a spicy aroma. Store fresh ginger in a tightly wrapped plastic bag in the refrigerator or freezer, and peel and grate it before use. Add it to any suitable dish for extra flavor. If fresh ginger is not available, you can use dried. In most recipes, one-eighth of a teaspoon of ground ginger can be substituted for one tablespoon of fresh grated ginger. Ground ginger can be found in the herbs and

spices section of most grocery stores.

Recipe tips for ginger

Here are some tasty ways to use ginger:

• ·         Add fresh ginger to a smoothie or juice
• ·         Add fresh or dried ginger to a stir-fry or homemade salad dressing
• ·         Make ginger tea by steep peeled fresh ginger in boiling water
• ·         Use fresh or dried ginger to spice up any fish recipe

These tasty ginger recipes have been developed by a registered dietitian:

Spicy cinnamon ginger roasted carrots, Maple gingerbread cookies, Winter vegetable soup, Cilantro-lime tuna burgers, Slow cooker Thai coconut curry, Cure-all juice

Possible health risks

                                   The United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider ginger to be a food additive that is "generally recognized as safe." Natural ginger will cause little or no known side effects for most people. In some, however, a high intake may worsen symptoms of acid reflux, irritate the mouth, and cause diarrhea. Taking ginger as capsules may help reduce the risk of heartburn. The effectiveness and side effects from ginger supplements will vary by brand and formulation, but people are advised not to take more than 4 g of dried ginger a day, or 1 g during pregnancy, including food sources. Scientists urge caution when using supplements, as these are not standardized. Anyone who is pregnant, or who has gallstones, diabetes, or a blood clotting disorder should discuss first with their doctor whether to increase their intake of ginger. Ginger supplements should not be used with aspirin or other blood-thinning medications. Scientists note that many of the compounds in ginger have not been fully investigated, and not all of the claims for ginger have been supported by research. However, many of those that have been studied appear to show promise for medicinal purposes.

                                    

     Sindhu ma