Home and miracle cure?
Not a pregnant, nauseous woman who has not been advised to take ginger for nausea. In Chinese medicine, ginger has been known for centuries for its positive effect on the stomach and digestion. But not only that, ginger could also be beneficial for the flu and even prevent colon cancer.
What exactly is ginger? Ginger is a tuber root of the ginger plant. It was already used in the Middle Ages to flavor dishes. You don’t eat ginger neat, you do make dishes tastier with it. You can buy ginger as a fresh tuber, but also candied, as a powder or as a syrup.
In Chinese medicine, ginger is known for its positive effect on digestion, the stomach area and the lungs. In addition, ginger is said to have an analgesic effect. In the meantime, it is no longer just Chinese medicine that believes in the beneficial effects of ginger. Several scientific studies have shown that ginger contains anti-inflammatory substances.
colon cancer
There has also been research that has shown that ginger can help prevent the formation of tumors. Research from the University of Michigan shows that certain ingredients in ginger may play a role in the prevention of colon cancer. The first research results are favourable. Follow-up research should show whether this is actually the case. In addition, taking a ginger supplement brought a number of side effects such as flatulence, heartburn and stomach upset.
Diabetes
In addition, ginger seems to be effective in diabetes. Australian scientists at the University of Sydney discovered that ginger keeps blood glucose under control. The root tuber appears to be able to increase glucose uptake in muscle cells independently of insulin. Here too, further research needs to be done.
Flu
What ginger certainly helps against is nausea and the flu. Ginger is often used to alleviate these complaints. Add freshly grated ginger to other foods or have a glass of ginger tea or ginger beer.
When buying ginger, make sure that the tubers are firm and not dried out. If there are suckers on the tubers, that’s no problem. You can use that, but the taste is less strong. You can store fresh ginger in an open plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for about two to three weeks. Candied ginger and ginger powder can be stored for months.
Are you a ginger lover? Here are a few recipes that contain ginger for inspiration:
- Noodle with beef and pak choi
- Chinese cabbage with ginger
- Green peas with ginger
- Stir-fried endive with sesame and ginger
- Kiwi with ginger syrup