GINGER AND HEALTH BENEFITS

INTRODUCTION: Ginger is a common ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine. It has been used for centuries among many cultures due to its medicinal properties. Ginger has a long history of use for relieving digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, pain etc. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds such as; gingerols, Beta-carotene,  capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate. (www.medicalnewstoday.com). It has a variety of vitamins and minerals,  such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin c,  phosphorus,  iron,  vitamin B6 and a host of others.

The root or underground stem of ginger plant can be consumed fresh, powered,  dried as a spice or as a juice. It is commonly produced in India, Jamaica, Indonesia and even recently in Nigeria and a host of other countries with tropical climate too numerous to mention.

Research has shown that consumption of plant foods like ginger decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall mortality, while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and weight reduction.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER:

(1) RELIEF FROM NAUSEA: Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea relieves nausea during cancer treatment. It also alleviates vomiting and nausea for pregnant women;  especially those that experience morning sickness.

(2) RELIEF FROM COLD: During cold weather, ginger tea helps relieve cold,  so it helps keep warm,  it promotes sweating.

(3) REDUCE INFLAMMATION: It has been proven through various researches that this root has been able to reduce inflammatory conditions; especially that of colon cancer and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis-(degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, it causes pain and stiffness esp in the hip,  knee and thumb joints).

(4) USEFUL FLAVOUR AND SPICE: Fresh ginger has been known to be a useful flavour in foods and drinks; especially locally produced drinks in some African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana etc,  it's flavour in local drinks such as (zobo, kunu etc) are extremely awesome. It adds a wonderful flavour to foods like jellof rice, coconut rice, plantain porridge etc, as well as a wonderful spice when spicing and cooking of meat, fish, chicken and so on.

(5) GINGER AIDS WEIGHT LOSS: The importance of ginger in weight loss recipes cannot be overemphasized; this is basically because it acts as a digestive aid and also assist in removing the undigested parts of food from the body. Ginger also has the power to increase your body metabolic rate, hence can burn the fat that is stored in the body. It is basically found in most weight loss recipes  such as---

--------a) Cucumber,  lemon and ginger detox
--------b) Ginger,  lemon,  and honey flat tummy detox
--------c) Ginger,  carrot juice
--------d) Ginger,  pineapple,  and watermelon detox
--------e) Ginger, avocado and pineapple juice, just to mention but a few.

GINGER AND SKIN BEAUTY:

Apart from the  above health benefits of ginger; there are still other benefits of ginger with regards to cosmetology. Ginger as already stated contains around 40 antioxidant properties that prevent free radical damage and protects against aging, here are a few ways of adding ginger to your beauty treatment

(A) SKIN ELASTICITY: It evens skin tone and improves elasticity, this could be done through the use of ginger face mask. For your ginger face mask, follow the method below:

(1) Grate your fresh ginger
(2) Add 1tabsp of honey
(3) Add 1tabsp of lemon juice and mix.
(4) Apply on face and neck
(5) Allow to sit for 30mins, then rinse and enjoy your glowing skin.
(6) Use twice weekly  (www.byride.com)

(B) EVENS TONE.; Ginger water takes care of hyperpigmentation: For removal of hyperpigmentaion, apply ginger juice directly on pigmented areas or
(1) Mix ginger juice with honey,
(2) Apply on affected areas, using a cotton pad,
(3) Allow to sit for 30mins,
(4) Rinse out there after, to reveal a fresh healthy skin.

(C) RADIANCE BOOSTING: Ginger gives you a radiant boost,  by making a radiance boosting mask. Follow the below method to achieve this.
(1) 1tabsp of ginger juice
(2) 2tabsp of rose water
(3) 1/2 tabsp pure honey.
(4) Mix well,  then apply evenly on face and neck.
(5) Leave for 20mins, then rinse,  and appreciate your radiant skin. (www.youbeauty.com)

NOTES: It must be noted here that most fresh fruit juice need ginger to give it that unique flavour, hence many add it to their drinks.
Finally, we could say here that a little bit if ginger in every meal and drink does the trick with regards to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy complexion.