Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardamom and galangal. It is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.
Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional/alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few. The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.
Upset stomachs are soothed with ginger. Ginger reduces gastrointestinal gases, and relieves nausea caused by pregnancy, seasickness. Gingerol is the distinctive aromatic flavour in ginger and is a natural sedative for calming the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ginger is also rich in antibiotic properties that fights GI infections which cause diarrhoea and dehydration.
In her YouTube video this week, Ayo Elizabeth Olaogun;a certified Nutritionist and fashion entrepreneur based in Austria, gives some insights on how to add more ginger to your daily meals.
This video features the advantage of ginger’s super power! Don’t forget that it is a soothing remedy against colds and coughs too!Below are highlights of the interesting video.
- She starts by regarding ginger as a super food with packed benefits and how that can be added to your food on a daily basis as much as possible.
- Gingerol in ginger has anti bacteria that helps to calm your stomach when it is upset.
- It helps with Nausea as well. If you are sea sick, road sick etc especially when it is in your food or drink
- Ginger is a mild immune booster. You can add slices of ginger in your tea, water or beverage especially when you have a flu, a cold or mild sinuses
- Do not take ginger on an empty stomach, if not, it will cause you more upset
- You can add ginger to your cereals in addition with some other fruits
- Ginger can also be added in your pancakes along with some other fruits on the side. You can add honey for sweetness
- Ginger in your toasts is also doable especially if you are making the toast in a pan
- When fixing your eggs, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add some ginger in the mix
- You can add some ginger when making your oats with some dried berries and other fruits to make up a healthy and balanced meal.
Ginger is indeed a super food! You are encouraged to try any of these meals with ginger and write us your experience. you can also try the recommended treatment with ginger and let us know!
About the Writer
Ayo Elizabeth Olaogun is the founder of Eat Right Africa and the Creative Director of popular fashion brand, Ayo Van Elmar. The trained nutritionist started the Eat Right Africa initiative “because she could no longer do nothing with her long acquired knowledge and initial professional background as a nutritionist.” Eat Right Africa aims to ignite a positive change in the mental attitude of Africans towards food and health.