Content
Ginger serves to help you lose weight and help treat poor digestion, heartburn, nausea, gastritis, cold, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cough, muscle pain, blood circulation problems and arthritis.
This is a medicinal plant that has a spicy flavor and can be used to season food, reducing the need for salt. This root can also be used to treat circulatory problems, colds or inflammations, such as sore throat, for example.
Its scientific name is Zingiber officinalis and can be purchased in health food stores, drugstores, markets and fairs, in their natural form, in powder or capsules.
Check out the 7 main health benefits of ginger.
What is it for
Ginger's properties include its anticoagulant, vasodilator, digestive, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, analgesic, antipyretic and antispasmodic action.
How to use
The used parts of Ginger are the roots for making tea or seasoning meals, for example.
- Ginger tea for cold and sore throat: put 2 to 3 cm of ginger root in a pan with 180 ml of water and boil for 5 minutes. Strain, cool and drink up to 3 times a day;
- Ginger compress for rheumatism: grate the ginger and apply to the painful area, cover with gauze and let it act for about 20 minutes.
See also how to prepare ginger juice to speed up metabolism.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can be caused by Ginger include stomach upset and drowsiness, but usually only occur when consumed in excess.
Who should not use
Ginger is contraindicated for allergic people and for those using anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, because it can increase the risk of bleeding. In addition, people with high blood pressure and who use medications to control pressure should only consume ginger according to medical advice, as it can interfere with the effect of the medicine, uncontrolling the pressure.
During pregnancy, the maximum dose of ginger should be 1 g for each kg of weight, so this root can be used in the form of shavings to relieve nausea during pregnancy.
Nutritional information for Ginger
Components | Quantity per 100 g |
Energy | 80 calories |
Protein | 1.8 g |
Fats | 0.8 g |
Carbohydrates | 18 g |
Fibers | 2 g |
Vitamin C | 5 mg |
Potassium | 415 mg |
Common Questions
1. Is eating ginger bad?
When consumed in excess, ginger can cause stomach upset in people with a sensitive stomach, children, and can also cause drowsiness. In addition, it is not indicated for people taking anticoagulant drugs.
2. Does ginger thin the blood?
Yes, eating ginger regularly helps to 'thin' the blood, being useful in case of high blood pressure, for example, but it should be avoided by people taking medicines like warfarin, because it can increase the risk of bleeding.
3. Does ginger increase the pressure?
People with high blood pressure and who use drugs to control their pressure should only consume ginger according to medical advice, as it can interfere with the effect of the medicine, uncontrolling the pressure.
4. Does ginger increase immunity?
Yes, the consumption of ginger in powders, flakes and ginger tea improves the body's response to infections and, therefore, this is a great ally against colds and flu, for example.
5. Does ginger lose weight?
Ginger root has a stimulating action and, therefore, can help to increase the metabolism and consequently the energy expenditure of the body, but it will only be useful to lose weight if the person is on a diet and physical activity.
Ginger recipes
Ginger can be used in sweet and savory recipes. The finely chopped or grated root can be used in sauces, sauerkraut, tomato sauce and in oriental meals, for example. Ground, it can be used in cakes, cookies, breads and hot drinks.
1. Lemon juice with ginger and mint
This recipe is easy to prepare and can be a good option to keep cool.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of lemon peels;
- 300 mL of lemon juice;
- 1 tablespoon of peeled ginger;
- 1 cup of mint tea;
- 150 mL of warm water;
- 1200 mL of cold water;
- 250 g of sugar.
Preparation mode
Prepare mint tea with leaves and hot water first, then beat all ingredients in a blender, strain and serve ice cream.
2. Minced meat with ginger sauce
This recipe is simple, tasty and can be used to accompany pasta, such as wraps or roasted pepper, for example.
Ingredients
- 500 g of ground meat;
- 2 ripe tomatoes;
- 1 onion;
- 1/2 red pepper;
- Parsley and chives to taste;
- Salt and ground ginger to taste;
- 5 crushed garlic cloves;
- 2 tablespoons olive oil;
- 300 mL of water.
Preparation mode
Place the garlic and onion in a pan, together with a little oil or olive oil until golden brown. Add the meat and let it brown for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add 150 ml of water and the other ingredients until the carmine begins to cook and taste. Check that the meat is cooking well and add the remaining water, leaving on medium heat for approximately 20 minutes or until the meat is well cooked.
3. Ginger water
Ginger water is great for adding flavor to the water, and also to help you lose weight.
Ingredients
- Sliced ginger;
- 1 L of water.
Preparation mode
Slice the ginger and add in 1 liter of water, and let it stand overnight. Take during the day, without sweetening.
4. Pickled ginger
Ingredients
- 400 g of ginger;
- 1/2 cup of sugar;
- 1 cup of vinegar;
- 3 teaspoons of salt;
- 1 glass container of approximately 1/2 liter with lid.
Preparation mode
Peel the ginger and then slice, leaving the slices thin and long. Cook only in water until boiling and then cool naturally. Then, add the other ingredients and bring to the fire to cook for about 5 minutes after boiling over low heat. After that, you must store the ginger in a glass container for at least 2 days before eating.
This homemade ginger preserves lasts for about 6 months, if always kept in the refrigerator.