Health benefits of Ginger For Moms To-Be & Kids

The quintessential Indian kitchen is stocked with spices providing varieties of health benefits. Ginger definitely stands out due to its shape, smell and therapeutic properties. Not only in India, but ginger is also now coveted worldwide due to its wide range of health benefits.

Ginger, a herbaceous plant of the Zingiberaceae family, is actually part of a flowering plant.. It is most widely used as a spice that is both nutritious and delicious!

This spice is known to have its origins in southeast Asia. In fact, it is native to India and China!

Ginger is a very versatile spice and used in almost every Indian dish. It can be eaten fresh and raw, dried or powdered, and even used in oils and juices, not to mention its use in most Indian curries. 

Ginger derives its characteristic smell due to gingerol, natural oil that acts as a bioactive compound. Gingerol is also responsible for the medicinal and therapeutic properties ginger is known for!

With its traditional and well-known medicinal properties, as well as its antibacterial nature, it is widely used as an essential in most recipes, or consumed as a side with meals, to aid digestion. 

This aromatic root vegetable has a yellowish flesh, while its peel or skin is light brown in colour. Its versatile nature and zingy flavour allow it to be used both in savoury and sweet dishes. Now, let's take a look at the nutritional benefits.

Nutritional Profile

A tablespoon of fresh ginger contains-

• 4.8 kCal
• 1.07 grams (g) of carbohydrate
• 0.12 g of dietary fibre
• 0.11 g of protein
• 0.05 g fat
• 0.1 g of sugar

It also has trace amounts of:

• Vitamin B3 and B6
• Iron
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Folate
• Riboflavin
• Niacin

The Many Health Benefits of Ginger for Kids and Adults

Ginger is not just loved for its sweet and spicy taste, but it also has several medicinal properties. It has a long and old history of being used for medicinal purposes even before the modern advancement of science. From aiding digestion and fighting nausea to helping in curing the common cough and cold, ginger serves as a medicine in different ways.

• Ginger is also known to be highly effective in helping control pregnancy-related nausea, also called morning sickness. 

• Many studies point toward ginger’s property of aiding with a high blood sugar level, or even diabetes. Regular consumption of Ginger water or extract is indicated to have an impact on weight loss and obesity too. 

• This medicinal root vegetable can also help in curing or preventing osteoarthritis, a very common health concern these days. It can lead to a decrease in symptoms like joint pain and stiffness. 

• One of its many properties includes its anti-diabetic properties, also playing a role in the reduction of the chances of heart diseases. It can lower blood sugar levels and aid people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

• Ginger is also an easy cure for indigestion, which is why it is often had as a side or in salads with most meals. It speeds up the emptying of the stomach and relieves stomach-related discomfort. 

• Some studies show that ginger can have a positive effect against menstrual pain like cramps when taken as a precautionary measure in a good amount at the beginning of menstruation. 

• Evidence points toward another wondrous property of ginger. It can significantly reduce LDL, also called bad cholesterol. Its consumption has also been associated with a decrease in total cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels. 

Last but not the least, owing to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it also aids in lowering the risk of infections, by inhibiting the growth of different types of bacteria. Fresh ginger can also fight against the respiratory syncytial virus and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.  

Benefits of Consuming ginger during Pregnancy

• Ginger is beneficial in keeping cholesterol levels in check during pregnancy.
• It promotes blood circulation if consumed in adequate amounts, thus boosting both the mother’s as well as the foetus’s blood circulation and supply to the heart. 
• Ginger is also known to be highly effective in helping control pregnancy-related nausea, also called morning sickness. 
• It has antiviral properties, which help in fighting against the regular cold and cough, which might occur frequently due to a decrease in immunity during pregnancy. It promotes quicker recovery.
• Heartburns can happen often during pregnancy, and ginger acts as an antidote for them by fighting acidity. 
• It also plays a role in easing bloating. Just a few sips of ginger tea at bedtime during pregnancy can go a long way in giving you that good night’s sleep by easing bloating, gas and indigestion.
• Apart from warding off exhaustion and fatigue, ginger is also effective in normalizing blood sugar levels and helping one feel energetic.
• Ginger also promotes nutrient absorption by stimulating enzymes in the pancreas, and in the process, helping better nutrition to reach the developing foetus as well.
  
  

 Risks of Consuming Ginger During pregnancy

While ginger can be your ultimate aid to adding antioxidants and important antibacterial and antiviral components into your diet to a certain extent, there are few risks attached to consuming ginger in greater amounts during pregnancy. Some of these may include-

• Blood clots or thickening of the blood, especially if you’re pregnant and on medication for blood pressure. 
• If applied topically on the skin, it can also cause dermatitis, which is an uncomfortable skin condition.
• If consumed in larger amounts orally, the spice can cause mouth or throat irritation, which can also spread to the ears. 
• In the case of a bleeding disorder, it can cause an increased risk of bleeding.

The Tasty Way of Including Ginger in Your Diet

During pregnancy, consuming ginger in moderation is highly beneficial to the mother. Although the raw form of ginger is the most popular and easy to have, it can be incorporated into the diet in other creative forms. Its zing is versatile, and its sweet and sour taste can be added to different foods to get your daily dose of ginger. 

• Minced ginger can be added to give your daily sabzi a zing.
• It can be infused in hot or boiling water for a few minutes. The resulting mixture can be consumed with a dash of honey. 
• Ginger can be added to soups or stir-fries to spice them up, in the form of shredded ginger pieces.
• Ginger tea is a very popular concoction, made by adding ginger, mint leaves, cinnamon, honey, and a variety of other things like lime etc. to taste.
• Ginger can even be ground into a fine paste and added to any and every recipe, or the paste can be used as an ingredient in salads. 

Fun facts about ginger you didn’t know about

• Ginger is actually a rhizome, not a root
• Ginger is actually an herb
• A ginger plant can grow upto 4Ft tall
• Ginger can be cultivated all throughout the year

Overall ginger is no doubt a magic ingredient in curing common colds and flu along with relieving pain. Next time you want to reach for the pills, try including some ginger in your tea. It will do wonders for you!