Ginger is the root of a plant in the same family as turmeric. Studies show that this root has antioxidant properties. Therefore, it may be useful to you if you suffer from conditions such as arthritis. However, talk to your doctor before taking ginger to prevent, treat or cure any health condition.
Osteoarthritis
Ginger has the ability to reduce inflammation. Therefore, ginger may help your joints if you suffer from osteoarthritis. According to the authors in a study published in January 2011 in "Fitoterapia," ginger has been found to improve knee pain in people with osteoarthritis.
Chronic and Acute Inflammation
Red ginger has the ability to stop chronic and acute inflammation. In a study published in February 2010 in the "Journal of Medicinal Food," red ginger was found to reduce inflammation in a mouse experimental model. The active ingredients were found to be gingerdiols, and proanthocyanidins, two phytochemicals, or plant chemicals that can impact health. These active compounds were able to stop the expression of nitric oxide, a gas in the body that can lead to conditions such as arthritis when too much is present.
Liver Cancer
Ginger may help stop the inflammation that is associated with liver cancer, according to preliminary evidence found from animal studies. In a study published in 2008 in "Clinics," ginger lead to improvements in inflammation from liver cancer in rats. Specifically, it stopped the pro-inflammatory TNF-α, a type of signaling protein that causes inflammation.
Treatment
Findings from animal studies suggest that taking ginger orally has health improvements. In a study published in 2010 in "Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry," rats fed with ginger showed reduced ear swelling caused by inflammation. However, the ginger mixed in water solution had to be given repeatedly before these outcomes were observed.
References
- "Fitoterapia"; Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors in Ginger (Zingiber Officinale); Richard B. van Breemen, et al.; January 2011
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubra) Extract and Suppression of Nitric Oxide Production by Its Constituents; Hiroshi Shimoda, et al.; February 2010
- "Clinics"; Ginger Extract (Zingiber Officinale) Has Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Ethionine-Induced Hepatoma Rats; Shafina Hanim Mohd Habib, et al.; 2008
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry"; Repeated Oral Administration of a Squeezed Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract Augmented the Serum Corticosterone Level and Had Anti-Inflammatory Properties; Hiroshi Ueda, et al.; 2010
