Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a herb with plenty of health benefits. The rhizome of the ginger plant is loaded with bioactive compounds and nutrients that are beneficial not only for the body, but also the brain.
Gingerol, the bioactive compound in ginger, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in relieving nausea, especially pregnancy-related morning sickness.[1,2.3]
Ginger provides effective relief from muscle pain resulting from exercise injuries.[4,5] It also relieves symptoms of osteoarthritis by alleviating joint pain and stiffness.[6,7] Ginger powder can also be useful in decreasing the intensity of menstrual pain.[8] The cholesterol-lowering effects of ginger are similar to the drug atorvastatin, a popular medicine used for lowering cholesterol levels.[9,10]
Ginger & Alzheimer’s
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline with age. Animal studies suggest that the bioactive compounds and antioxidants present in ginger can stop brain inflammation.[11]
Ginger can also enhance the brain function. A study done with 60 middle-aged women found that ginger extract can improve working memory and reaction time.[12] Animal studies verify that ginger can protect from age-related cognitive decline.[13,14,15]
How To Take It
Take ½tsp ginger paste with a glass of warm water twice daily to boost your brain health.
For more interesting stories, visit our Health page and read about other Natural Remedies here.
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References:
1. Wang S, Zhang C, Yang G, Yang Y. Biological properties of 6-gingerol: a brief review. Nat Prod Commun. 2014 Jul;9(7):1027-30. Review. PubMed PMID: 25230520.
2. Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Br J Anaesth. 2000 Mar;84(3):367-71. Review. PubMed PMID: 10793599.
3. Viljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, Musekiwa A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal. 2014;13:20. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-20.
4. Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, O’Connor PJ. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. J Pain. 2010 Sep;11(9):894-903. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.12.013. Epub 2010 Apr 24. PubMed PMID: 20418184.
5. Black CD, O’Connor PJ. Acute effects of dietary ginger on muscle pain induced by eccentric exercise. Phytother Res. 2010 Nov;24(11):1620-6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3148. PubMed PMID: 21031618.
6. Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2001 Nov;44(11):2531-8. PubMed PMID: 11710709.
7. Zahmatkash M, Vafaeenasab MR. Comparing analgesic effects of a topical herbal mixed medicine with salicylate in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Pak J Biol Sci. 2011 Jul 1;14(13):715-9. PubMed PMID: 22308653.
8. Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Feb;15(2):129-32. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0311. PubMed PMID: 19216660.
9. Alizadeh-Navaei R, Roozbeh F, Saravi M, Pouramir M, Jalali F, Moghadamnia AA. Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial. Saudi Med J. 2008 Sep;29(9):1280-4. PubMed PMID: 18813412.
10. Al-Noory AS, Amreen AN, Hymoor S. Antihyperlipidemic effects of ginger extracts in alloxan-induced diabetes and propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism in (rats). Pharmacognosy Res. 2013 Jul;5(3):157-61. doi: 10.4103/0974-8490.112419. PubMed PMID: 23901210; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3719255.
11. Azam F, Amer AM, Abulifa AR, Elzwawi MM. Ginger components as new leads for the design and development of novel multi-targeted anti-Alzheimer’s drugs: a computational investigation. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2014;8:2045-2059. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S67778.
12. Saenghong N, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, et al. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2012;2012:383062. doi:10.1155/2012/383062.
13. Wattanathorn J, Jittiwat J, Tongun T, Muchimapura S, Ingkaninan K. Zingiber officinale Mitigates Brain Damage and Improves Memory Impairment in Focal Cerebral Ischemic Rat. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:429505. doi: 10.1155/2011/429505. Epub 2010 Dec 20. PubMed PMID: 21197427; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3010628.
14. Oboh G, Ademiluyi AO, Akinyemi AJ. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activities and some pro-oxidant induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain by two varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2012 May;64(4):315-9. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2010.09.004. Epub 2010 Oct 16. PubMed PMID: 20952170.
15. Zeng GF, Zhang ZY, Lu L, Xiao DQ, Zong SH, He JM. Protective effects of ginger root extract on Alzheimer disease-induced behavioral dysfunction in rats. Rejuvenation Res. 2013 Apr;16(2):124-33. doi: 10.1089/rej.2012.1389. PubMed PMID: 23374025.
