Amazing Ginger Health Benefits



Ginger is one of the most used spices in the world today. Apart from flavoring food, ginger benefits the body in numerous ways, including enhancing mental performance. Ginger is available in different forms, ie juice, powders, capsules and as fresh rhizomes. The massive ginger health benefits make it an excellent additive in almost all foods. Ginger health benefits include;

Ginger as a powerful Antioxidant

Ginger is rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants play a vital role in neutralization of free radicals. The antioxidative defense system of the body balances the free radicle production. Oxidative stress occurs in the event of alterations between reactive oxygen species generation and its neutralization by the antioxidant defense. Moreover, ginger plays an essential role in the reduction of the lipid oxidation and inhibits the pathogenesis of diseases. 6-Dehydroshogaol, 6-shogaol and 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione are inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophages. 6-shogaol has potent antioxidant properties due to the presence of unsaturated ketone moiety.

Anti-inflammatory activity

Inflammation is a complex immune process, involving various mediators such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Ginger oil significantly represses inflammation, especially joint swelling. Also, ginger extracts suppress the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and play a significant role in the inhibitory of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, essential for arachidonate metabolism, and down-regulating the induction of inflammatory genes.

Anti-tumor activity

Ginger extracts suppress tumor development through up-regulation of tumor suppressor gene, induction of apoptosis and inactivation of vascular endothelial growth factor pathways. The development and progress of tumors involve multiple steps including genetic and metabolic changes. 6-gingerol suppresses the transformation, hyperproliferation, and inflammatory processes that involve in various phases of carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Beside, ginger constituents induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cell line LnCaP by increasing the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and Bax and also reducing the expression of Bcl-2. 6-shogaol is effective against breast cancer through the inhibitory of cell invasion and reduction of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. On the other hand, 6-gingerol stimulates apoptosis through up-regulation of NAG-1 and G1 cell cycle arrest through down-regulation of cyclin D1.

Ginger root extracts and gingerol inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori CagA + strains, which has a specific gene, linked to the development of gastric premalignant and malignant lesions. 6-shogaol induces apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cells through the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of caspase-31, and 6-gingerol inhibited pulmonary metastasis bearing B16F10 melanoma cells through the activation of CD8 + T-cells. 6-gingerol has anti-tumoral activity through induction of reactive oxygen species, which also triggers activation of tumor suppressor p53 and the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Anti-microbial activity


Anti-diabetic activity

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder originating from an abnormality of carbohydrate metabolism stem from low blood insulin level or insensitivity of target organs to insulin. Ginger and its constituents are efficient in the control of diabetes and its complications through anti-hyperglycemic effect. Ginger acts through the inhibitory of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory process, although the exact mechanism is not known.

Neuroprotective effect

The phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the ginger act as powerful neuro-protectors. 6-shogaol has neuroprotective effects in transient global ischemia through the inhibitory of microglia. Moreover, it exhibits neuroprotective impact by accelerating brain anti-oxidant defense mechanisms and down-regulating the MDA levels to the normal levels.

Effect on osteoarthritis

Ginger is useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis, one of the leading causes of severe musculoskeletal pain and disability. Highly purified and standardized ginger extract reduces significantly affect symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Also, ginger is effective in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis with negligible side effects. It works similarly as Indomethacin.

Gastro-protective effect

Active compounds in ginger have an invigorating role in ulcer prevention. The compounds increase secretion of mucin. Compounds 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol are effective in suppressing gastric contracting. Anti -etic effect Ginger and its constituents show a significant impact on nausea and vomiting.

Hepatoprotective effect

Carbon tetrachloride, mancozeb, acetamophine, and lead are among the important substances that poison the liver. Ginger is effective in inhibiting hepatotoxicity by these chemicals.

Effect on migraine

Ginger powder is highly effective in relieving migraines in a dose of 550 mg every 4 hours for five days.

Effect on the eye

Ginger and its constituents are efficient in the management of retinopathy, a symptom of diabetes.


Source by Adam Wanyonyi Ford