Ginger: 11 Health Benefits & How to Use It

Clinical review: Tatiana Zanin
Registered Dietitian
  1. Health benefits
  2. How to use ginger
  3. Side effects 
  4. Contraindications

Ginger is a root plant that contains 6-gingerol and 8-gingerol, which are bioactive compounds with thermogenic properties. These compounds boost metabolism and fat burning, which can help to promote weight loss.

Because it is a potent anti-spasmodic, ginger helps to relax the stomach muscles that cause indigestion, nausea and vomiting. It also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action which can help to prevent and treat diseases like high blood pressure, reflux and arthritis. 

Ginger can be purchased at open markets, natural health stores and grocery stores. You can purchase it fresh, dehydrated or in powder form to use in teas, smoothies, yogurt, soup or salads. Ginger can also be found as an essential oil or in supplement capsules. 

Imagem ilustrativa número 1

Health benefits

The main health benefits of ginger include: 

1. Help with weight loss 

Ginger contains gingerol, which is a bioactive compound with thermogenic properties. It boosts metabolism and stimulates fat burning, which promotes weight loss. 

In addition, ginger is a potent diuretic that stimulates the elimination of excess fluid, which can help to relieve water retention.

2. Fight heartburn and intestinal gas 

Ginger contains chogaol, gingerol and zingerone, which are bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, carminative and antiemetic properties. They help to relax the stomach and intestinal muscles, and decrease stomach acid, making it a great option to ward off heartburn and intestinal gas. 

Check out other home remedies for heartburn that you can use to treat and prevent further episodes. 

3. Prevent diabetes

Because it contains zingiberene, gingerol and curcumin (which are phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant action), ginger can help to protect pancreatic cells from free radicals. This helps to regulate insulin levels and prevent insulin resistance or diabetes. 

4. Improve nausea and vomiting

Ginger contains antiemetic properties that help to empty the stomach. This can help with managing nausea and vomiting that can occur during pregnancy or chemotherapy treatment. 

5. Treat and prevent gastritis and GERD

Ginger is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps to fight stomach inflammation. This is beneficial for the treatment of gastritis and ulcers. 

In addition, ginger also has antiemetic properties, which can help with stomach emptying and prevent reflux or indigestion. 

6. Prevent cancer 

Due to is great quantities of zingiberene, curcumin, farnesene and gingerol (which are bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant activity), ginger can help to fight free radicals throughout the body. This helps to reduce the development and multiplication of cancerous cells. 

7. Manage blood pressure

Ginger contains soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, vasodilating and anticoagulant properties, which help to improve contacting and relaxing of arteries. This can promote better circulation and regulate blood pressure. 

Ginger can also inhibit the enzyme the converts angiotensin, which is responsible for the contraction of blood vessels. This can prevent increases in blood pressure. 

8. Fighting infections

Due to its bactericide and antimicrobial action, ginger is a great complement for the medical treatment of respiratory diseases, like the flu, cold, asthma and bronchitis. 

Ginger also helps to treat mouth and throat infections, like pharyngitis, tonsillitis, periodontitis and gingivitis. 

9. Relieve muscle pain

Cineol and borneal are bioactive compounds present in ginger that have a strong analgesic action that can help to relieve muscle pain. 

Ginger also contains anti-inflammatory and soothing action, which can manage pain related to arthritis, rheumatism and arthrosis. 

10. Prevent cardiovascular disease

Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds that prevent the formation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels. This can improve blood circulation and prevent disease like atherosclerosis, heart failure and heart attack. 

In addition, the antioxidants present in ginger also eliminate excessive free radicals, which inhibit the oxidation of fat cells and help to control cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. 

11. Relieve menstrual cramps

Ginger contains cineol and bornol, which are compounds with analgesic action. Consuming ginger prior to or at the start of your period can help to relieve cramps. 

How to use ginger

Ginger can be used in its fresh form, dehydrated or as a powder in tea or other, more elaborate recipes for soups, smoothies, yogurt or salads. Ginger can also be used as an essential oil for massages or immersion baths. 

  • Ginger tea: Place 2 to 3 cm of fresh ginger in a pot with 180 ml (about 6 oz) of water and boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Other ways to prepare the tea consist of mixing 1 tablespoon of powdered ginger with 1 L of boiling water. You can also place 1 tablespoon of grated ginger in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, then strain. 
  • Ginger essential oil: Dilute 3 to 5 drops of essential oil in 1 vegetable-based oil (like olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil) and apply directly to the skin. You can massage in areas where you feel muscular or rheumatic pain. 

Another way to use ginger essential oil is by diluting 15 drops in 3 tablespoons of milk or plant-based milk and then mixing it in a bathtub of water. You can soak in this water for 20 minutes. 

Possible side effects 

The excessive consumption of ginger, over 5 g per day, can cause some side effects which include stomach ache, changes to heart rate, diarrhea and drowsiness. 

Contraindications for use 

Ginger is not indicated for those with a history of gallbladder stones or hemorrhagic diseases. It should not be used by those who take anticoagulants, as it can increase the risk for bleeding. 

People who take blood pressure or diabetes medication should use ginger under the supervision of a doctor, as it can interfere with the medication action. Inappropriate use can lead to low blood pressure and hypoglycemia. 

During pregnancy, the maximum recommended dose of ginger is up to 1 g per day for a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Ginger should also not be consumed close to the due date, as it may increase the risk for bleeding. 

Was this information helpful?

Written and updated by Daisy Oliveira - Registered Nurse on September of 2022. Clinical review by Tatiana Zanin - Registered Dietitian, on September of 2022.

References

  • BODAGH Mehrmaz et al. Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Science & Nutrition. 7. 1; 96–108, 2019
  • CHANG, J. S.; et al. Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 145. 1; 145-151, 2013
Show more references
  • HASANI, Hossein; et al. Does ginger supplementation lower blood pressure? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 1-9, 2019
  • LETE, Iñaki ; ALLUÉ, José. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integrative Medicine Insights. 11. 11-17, 2016
  • PARK, Miri et al. Antibacterial activity of [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria. Phytotherapy Research . Vol.22. 11.ed; 1446-1449, 2008
  • CARVALHO, C, N, Gerdane et al . Efetividade do gengibre na redução de níveis metabólicos de pessoas com diabetes: ensaio clínico randomizado. Revista LAtino-Americana de Enfermagem. Vol.28. 3369.ed; 1-10, 2020
  • BARTELS, Else Marie et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Elsevier. Vol.23. 1.ed; 13-21, 2015
  • DING, Mingshuang; et al. The effectiveness and safety of ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review. Women Birth. 26. 1; e26-30, 2013
  • BARRETO, C, Alice Maria et al. Efeitos do gengibre (Zingiber officinale) em pacientes oncológicos tratados com quimioterapia. Comunicação em Ciências da Saúde. Vol.22. 3.ed; 257-270, 2011
  • CONCEIÇÃO, Sara Figueirôa da Silva Martins. Efeitos do Gengibre, do Alho e do Funcho na Saúde. Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2013. Universidade Fernando Pessoa.
  • NICACIO, L, S, Gabriela et al. Breve Revisão sobre as propriedades fitoterápicas do Zingber Officinale Roscoe - o gengibre. Periódicos PUC Minas. Vol.7. 2.ed; 74-80 , 2018
  • MEDEIROS, O, N, B, Raquel. Estudo da aplicação na área da saúde do gengibre, sua caracterização química . Mestrado integrado e ciências farmacêuticas, 2017. Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz.
  • JAKSEVICIUS Andrius et al. Inhibitory Effects of Culinary Herbs and Spices on the Growth of HCA-7 Colorectal Cancer Cells and Their COX-2 Expression. Nutrients. 9. 10; 1-22, 2017
  • AKIMOTO Miho et al . Anticancer Effect of Ginger Extract against Pancreatic Cancer Cells Mainly through Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Autotic Cell Death. Plos One. 10. 5; 1-22, 2015
  • PRASAD Sahdeo et al. Ginger and Its Constituents: Role in Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Gastroenterology Research and Practice. 1-11, 2015
  • ARABLOU Tahereh et al. The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 65. 4; 515-520, 2014
  • SAYED Sami et al. Article Ginger Water Reduces Body Weight Gain and Improves Energy Expenditure in Rats. Foods. 38. 9; 1-14, 2020
  • THOMSON Maggie et al. Effects of Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Meta-Analysis. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 27. 1; 115-122, 2014
  • LETE iñaki et al. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Naus. Integrative Medicine Insights. 11. 11-17, 2016
Clinical review:
Tatiana Zanin
Registered Dietitian
Graduated in Clinical Nutrition in 2001 and has a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition. Licensed to practice under the CRN-3 in Brazil and the ON in Portugal