Ginger and Health by David Tolson

Ginger and Health

Introduction

Ginger (zingiber officinale) is a common part of the diet in many parts of the world. Recent research has found ginger to have various pharmacological properties due to a variety of active constituents, including shogaols and gingerols (responsible for the strong odor). Ginger is also one of the strongest plant antioxidants [1]. This article will provide a short summary of some of the advantages that supplementation with ginger or ginger extract may have to offer.

Benefits

Easing Nausea – Ginger is probably most well-known for its ability to reduce nausea, and it has been superior to placebo in studies on seasickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, motion sickness, pregnancy-related nausea, and others [2-5]. In the majority of these trials, the dosage used was 1 gram of ginger (either acutely or daily) and there were no adverse events. A few trials have not shown a statistically significant difference (although there has been at least one that has shown a significant difference for each of the conditions above), but there is always a trend toward improvement. Two possible mechanisms are enhanced intestinal transport and CNS activity, with studies in humans indicating that the latter is more likely [2].
Digestive stimulation – 6-shogaol, one of the active constituents in ginger, has stimulated intestinal blood flow and transport in rat and guinea pig studies [6, 7], indicating that it may effectively stimulate digestion. However, in a placebo-controlled trial ginger showed no effect on gastric emptying rate [8].

Safety and use

Ginger has not been associated with any significant adverse events in trials. In some cases, gastrointestinal upset is reported. Doses as high as 1 g/kg have been used in rats with no signs of toxicity or teratogenicity [21]. .5-1 g per day is suggested for general health, 1 gram per day to prevent nausea, and 1 gram prior to travel for prevention of motion sickness.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please email dvdtlsn@bulknutrition.com.

No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the permission of David Tolson or Mike McCandless.

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References

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