Ginger Power – The Hidden Secrets
It’s no secret many people believe that ginger is good for stomach aches. Almost everyone has probably heard of it’s magical remedies before, or have they?
Why Ginger?
It’s true it may have beneficial effects on your body. Especially for your stomach. But just how much of it should you consume? What exactly will it do?
What Does It Do?
Ginger has been found to increase the production of bile. Bile is an acid-like fluid produced by the liver. It aids in the digestion of food in the small intestine. After being produced by the liver, bile is first pumped out to the gallbladder. It is stored here until needed. When needed, bile is released and pumps through a small tube (called the duodenum) into the small intestine.
A bit of caution. People with prior gallbladder-related problems should consult with their physician before making any ginger-related changes in their diet.
The Cons of Consuming Ginger
There have been cases where consuming it, or any ginger-based products, have caused gallbladder distress in some people. This can happen even if they have no present or past issues with their gallbladder. Here is the explanation. Consuming ginger on an empty stomach increases the production of bile by the liver. The bile will build up without anything to digest. The result is stomach discomfort or even pain.
What Secret Powers?
In addition to digestive benefits, ginger also contains gingerol. Many of the medicinal benefits come from gingerol. Gingerol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant similar to honey, green tea, and blueberries.
Gingerol is typically found as a pungent yellowish fluid. When gingerol is heated or dried, it undergoes a dehydration reaction. This process forms shogaol (from Japanese for Ginger, ‘shoga’), which is even more pungent than gingerols. Shogaol has been found to have more potent effects than gingerols, as found in a study by the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised and your body will thank you.