Health benefits of ginger as new study says it can help people living with autoimmune diseases

Ginger could play a critical role in controlling inflammation for people living with autoimmune diseases, a new study has found.

Researchers said that ginger supplements could even help people with Covid, and other diseases such as lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis due to its ability to mitigate inflammation in the body and clotting.

"[Ginger is] a natural supplement that may be helpful to treat inflammation and symptoms for people with several different autoimmune diseases," study co-author, Professor Kristen Demoruelle, of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said.

Ginger has long been used in alternative medicine and as an aid for digestion (hence why it’s often served with sushi), but what is the root spice and what are its other health benefits?

What is ginger?

Ginger is a root spice that has origins in South East Asia, China and India. It is often added to curries like Thai green curry, or to sweets like gingerbread or ginger biscuits.

Aside from cooking, ginger has also long been used for its medicinal benefits in alternative medicine.

What are the health benefits of ginger?

There have been several studies into the health benefits of ginger.

One study from 2005 found that ginger can lower blood pressure, while a 2022 study found that it can lower blood sugar in patients with Type II diabetes.

A further 2020 study found that ginger could be effective in alleviating morning sickness for pregnant women, and a 2015 study found that it can also help to aid weight loss due to its antioxidant properties that can help control the free radicals in the body that are damaged by oxidative stress when you gain weight.

It has also been linked to alleviating symptoms of osteoarthritis, reduce period pain, help to manage indigestion, and even reduce the risk of some cancers.

So, how can it have all of these benefits? That’s down to gingerol. Gingerol is one of the natural oils found in ginger and is responsible for most of the spice’s medicinal benefits.

A study from 2015 concluded that "medicinal properties of ginger, including the alleviation of nausea, arthritis and pain, have been associated with the gingerols".

What is the best way to have ginger?

Ginger is safe to eat daily, and can be incorporated into your meals or snacks or even by taking a ginger juice shot or drinking ginger tea.

However, as it does have a particular taste, you may prefer to take ginger supplement which are available in capsule and tablet forms.

If consuming ginger in its whole form, you should only have three to four grams per day, and only one gram if you are pregnant. If consuming it as a supplement, always read the label first.

Source: Laura Hampson, Yahoo Life UK