Ginger is a popular aromatic spice used to flavor many foods, but its real powers go much further. Fresh ginger root has been valued for centuries in traditional medicinal practices. Medicine might have advanced since then, but ginger remains just as potent as it always was. Studies have proven it to be effective against everything from cancer to premature aging. However, one area in which ginger can benefit you the most is your digestion.
A weak digestive system combined with a poor diet can give you terrible tummy problems. When your body isn’t properly equipped to break down food, you suffer symptoms like bloating, excessive flatulence and a bad stomach pain. If you find that you experience these problems often after a meal, your body might need some extra help. Fresh ginger root is a potent, effective digestive aid. Here’s how you can harness the powers of ginger to beat your tummy troubles.
1. It Stimulates Digestive Juices
When food enters your stomach, a combination of acids and enzymes begin to work on breaking down each particle. Once this is done, your blood is able to absorb the food molecules with all their nutrition and use it to benefit your body. However, if you don’t have an adequate secretion of these fluids, the food you eat becomes harder to process. This puts immense stress on your digestive system and causes you a lot of discomfort. The main active ingredient in ginger, gingerol, stimulates your stomach to produce more gastric juices. This allows food to be easily digested by the stomach acids and pass through your body without a problem.
2. It Releases Excess Gas
When your body breaks down food, these particles release gas. In a person with healthy digestion, this gas is minimal and passes through the body easily. However, when your digestive system is compromised or you have an unhealthy diet, the food you eat produces excess gas. Instead of being released from your body, this gas accumulates in your tummy, making you feel bloated. Ginger works to reduce excess gas in two steps. First it prevent gas from forming in the first place by improving your body’s ability to digest food. Second, it helps your intestinal muscles to relax, which helps gas be released from your body. So if you have problems with bloating or flatulence, ginger root could be the cure you’re looking for.
3. It Controls Acidity And Heartburn
Excessive acid production in your stomach often leads to an acid reflux. Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux and can be very painful to deal with. Consuming fresh ginger root will help prevent an acid reflux from occurring. Ginger has the ability to tighten the esophageal sphincter muscles. When your esophagus is tightened, acid cannot travel up the stomach and cause acidity-related problems like heartburn. Ginger can also kill harmful bacteria present in stomach acid which can interfere with your health.
4. Helps You Absorb Nutrients Better
You might be eating a very healthy meal, but unless your body is equipped to absorb the nutrients within it, it’s all in vain. Depending on how effective a person’s digestive system is, they can absorb anywhere between 10-90% of the nutrients in the food they’re eating. Fresh ginger root can improve the efficacy of your digestive system and help you get the most from what you eat.
Fresh Ginger Root Tea Recipe
When you’re using ginger to ease your digestion, always pick fresh ginger root over dried ginger powder. While both come with their own set of benefits, fresh ginger is undoubtedly tastier and much healthier. This simple recipe is all you need to kiss your digestive troubles goodbye.
Ingredients
1 inch fresh ginger root, roughly chopped
Juice from ½ a lemon
1 tsp raw honey
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Method
Fill a saucepan with enough water to make two cups of tea. Add fresh ginger root to this and let it simmer.
Before it comes to a boil, take it off the heat and add remaining ingredients.
Strain and pour into mugs.
