Ginger Health Benefits, Nutrition and Spice Facts

Health Benefits of Eating Ginger Spice

Ginger is a low Glycemic Index ingredient. Low-GI food helps you in weight loss, lowers your insulin levels and reduces the risk of getting type II diabetes.
The spice is antispasmodic and is helpful to relieve upset stomach; a good remedy to ease gas in stomach and bloating.
The consumption of ginger helps promote the release of mucus, suppressing your cough as well as soothing scratchiness in the throat.
Ginger is proven useful to treat nausea feelings, especially in the form of motion sickness, morning sickness, seasickness and as an adverse reaction of chemotherapy.
Ginger has antiviral, antifungal and antitoxic properties, and has been used as prevention and treatment for cold and flu.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are great to heal osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other muscular ailments. The chemical substances of the root are important in suppressing the biosynthesis of prostaglandins that are causing inflammation.
Because of its stimulation of mucus secretion, the spice actually protects against the growth of stomach ulcers.
Ginger is excellent to reduce your cholesterol levels and avoid the development of thrombus.

Ginger Nutrition Content and Calories

Nutrition Facts of 1 tablespoon (5 g) Ground Ginger
Calories	18 kcal
Total Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	2 mg
Total Carbohydrates	4 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g
Sugars	0 g
Protein	0 g

Facts about Ginger Spice

Ginger (scientific name Zingiber officinale) is a perennial plant native to Asian and other tropical countries like Jamaica, and is grown in the US, China and India. Ginger usually includes dried or fresh, powdered or whole rhizome of the shrub. Even though it is sometimes known as ginger root, but it is definitely not a root. Another spice, turmeric, also belongs to the same family as ginger.

The ginger stalk can grow until 90-120 cm in height. White in color with purple streaks, the flowers of ginger grow on spikes at the terminal of the scapes.

Ginger can be wrapped in chocolate, candied, powdered and used to bake gingerbread, made into pickled ginger, ginger ale and many more.

Ginger Recipe

Homemade Ginger Ale

Serve: 4

Ingredients:

To prepare ginger water:
1 cup ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 cups water

To prepare simple syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Club soda
Lime juice
Lime wedges

Preparation:
In a saucepan, boil the 2 cups water and add in the ginger. Lower the heat to medium low. Allow the ginger to simmer for 4-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. Strain the water and dispose of the ginger.
In another saucepan, dissolve the sugar in a cup of hot boiling water, then put aside.
To produce ginger ale, mix 1/3 cup simple syrup with 1/2 cup ginger water together with 1/2 cup club soda into each serving glass. Add in several drops of lime juice along with a lime wedge and serve.

Ginger Side Effects

Negative effects from ginger are very uncommon, but when consumed in high doses, the spice can cause minor heartburn, mouth irritation and diarrhea.

Ginger Health Benefits, Nutrition and Spice Facts

Health Benefits of Eating Ginger Spice

Ginger Nutrition Content and Calories

Facts about Ginger Spice

Ginger Recipe

Ginger Side Effects

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