RIP Racquel
Posted on 02/15/2023 3:32:31 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Ginger has a reputation for stimulating the immune system. New results now support this thesis. In laboratory tests, small amounts of a pungent ginger constituent put white blood cells on heightened alert.
Whether as a medicinal plant or foodstuff, ginger is also becoming increasingly popular. However, the question arises as to whether normal consumption levels are sufficient to achieve health effects.
As the study shows, significant amounts of pungent ginger compounds enter the blood about 30 to 60 minutes after consuming one liter of ginger tea. By far the highest levels were achieved by [6]-gingerol, with plasma concentrations of approximately 7 to 17 micrograms per liter.
The pungent compound is known to exert its "taste" effect via the so-called TRPV1 receptor, an ion channel located on the surface of nerve cells that responds to painful heat stimuli as well as to pungent compounds from chili and ginger. Since some studies suggest that white blood cells also possess this receptor, the research team tested whether [6]-gingerol influences the activity of these immune cells.
In a first step, the team succeeded in detecting the receptor on neutrophil granulocytes. The research group also showed that even a very low concentration of almost 15 micrograms of [6]-gingerol per liter is sufficient to put the cells on heightened alert.
Thus, compared to control cells, the stimulated cells reacted about 30 percent more strongly to a peptide that simulates a bacterial infection.
"Thus, at least in experiments, very low [6]-gingerol concentrations are sufficient to affect the activity of immune cells via the TRPV1 receptor. In blood, these concentrations could theoretically be achieved by consuming about one liter of ginger tea," says Gaby Andersen.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
If normally dealing with an autoimmune issue, it’s not clear this wouldn’t aggravate it so maybe one might need to reduce intake, then.
One liter of ginger tea. I would rather be sick
Me too!!!
Now you know why Gingers have no souls.
How about crystallized ginger? It’s candy!
Absolutely dislike ginger.
I like Maryanne
Taking anti-rejection drugs as I am, I should probably add ginger to my
DO NOT EAT list so it doesn’t cause me problems. I don’t know that it would, but ginger is something I rarely have anyway, except in oriental food.
In Asia where I live, ginger tea is a standard remedy. At the first sign of symptoms, drink a cup of that powerful stuff, and enjoy being fully recovered the next day in most cases. I like how after clinically showing it gives a 30% immune system boost, this article concludes with ‘Nevertheless...’ blah blah.
RIP Racquel
Ginger is also a natural anti nausea agent.
No nausea with that ginger!
I use fresh cut ginger for upset stomach before anything else. Tums will kill ya!
Slice in a glass of cold water and sip. It won’t hurt to try it. Little at a time until you get your level.
I wonder if Ginger would be hard on the stomach. I have acid problems. Not sure I could drink Ginger tea.
That’s why back in the 50s our moms and nans always gave us ginger ale when we were home sick with a cold.
Re “...back in the 50s our moms and nans always gave us ginger ale when we were home sick with a cold” I remember getting it when sick, but connect it to curing upset stomach.
On further review, I think we had it in the house for company and the adult ‘Highballs’ ...
Do you know if what we can now buy in supermarkets has actual Ginger in it? What about “Ginger Beer”?
LOL -- I remember the older generation talking about "highballs." Even when my aunties were in their 90s in the nursing home, they would have a highball every evening. Being southerners, this is pronounced "HAH bauw."
I do not know about today's ginger products, but I would recommend reading the label -- it should just say "ginger" in the ingredient list -- watch out for "artificial flavor(s)." It's a pretty difficult flavor to synthesize. And ginger is not rare; it is used plentifully in British, Chinese, Japanese, West Indies and African cultures. Our local Caribbean store and the Hispanic store always have a huge pile of raw ginger root and a wide variety of imported but affordable ginger products -- ginger teas, sodas, cookies, salad dressing, meat and fish rubs, etc.
I keep dried ginger powder for baking my gingersnaps, soft ginger cookies, ginger chocolate chip cookies (the best!), and gingerbread cakes; but I buy some fresh root for holiday baking, and keep some ginger root in the freezer. Using grated fresh root really punches up the flavor.
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