DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF GINGER - THE SPICY HEALTH BOOSTER

Ginger has been hailed as a wonder root for years - is it genuinely a superfood?

Ginger contains a multitude of spicy, bioactive and pharmacologically active essential oils and substances, including the well-known Gingerol, responsible for its sharp and spicy note. For most people, consuming ginger in normal amounts is safe and considered healthy in several ways - e.g., in terms of digestion and immune defense.

Therefore, ginger tea is often referred to as a health booster. Current basic research on the topic is promising, but if there is a superfood at all, in my opinion, it is garlic, which contains phyto penicillin.

So, who should consume ginger?

It's quite simple,  universal creed applies here as it does for all food: eat and drink only what you enjoy and, most importantly, what you can digest well without getting gastrointestinal problems.

In principle, the rule of the most (evolutionary) biologically natural form of nutrition for us humans applies: eat only when you feel real, physical hunger, and only what you really desire, what tastes good to you and what you can digest well. Eat until you are fully satisfied and feel good about it.  Intuitive eating is so simple, good and healthy.

Who should avoid the spicy root?

The answer is easy. Anyone who finds ginger too spicy, who doesn't like the taste, or gets stomach rumbles and digestive issues afterward, should avoid the spicy power root. In addition, it is generally recommended that people with certain health conditions or in specific situations should rather avoid ginger. This includes:

stomach problems: some people may react sensitively to ginger and get stomach troubles like heartburn or stomach irritations - or if they already suffer from intestinal disorders such as diverticula or a pathologically permeable intestinal barrier (i.e. aleaky gut). In all these cases, consumption should be reduced or completely stopped.

About the expert Uwe Knop

Uwe Knop, born in 1972, holds a diploma in nutritional science, is a book author, and gives lectures at professional associations, companies, and for medicaltrainings. His book Successful Weight Loss and Staying Slim is published by Springer Publishing.

2024-04-25T10:59:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd