Posted on 04/23/2025 1:43:31 PM PDT by nickcarraway
We'll never say no to more ginger in our life.
Key Points
-A new study published in medical journal Cureus reveals numerous health benefits ginger can provide, including its ability to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
-The many health benefits of ginger led researchers to conclude that the ingredient is a viable tool for assisting in treatment of cardiovascular disease.
-Ginger can also aid in digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation.
Ginger is a welcome addition to many recipes. It’s aromatic, spicy, and carries a hint of earthy, citrusy flavor. But aside from its zesty taste, recent research published in medical journal Cureus discovered that the flowering spice is a natural way to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
The 2025 study analyzed the potential health benefits of ginger in cardiology, with a focus on how it can impact diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Beyond this, the review also investigated the health benefits of gingerol and shogaol, two phytochemicals — naturally occurring chemicals in plants — found in ginger that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
According to the report, ginger contains numerous bioactive compounds that decrease inflammation, lower blood pressure, enhance vascular health, and improve lipid profiles.
Together the many health benefits of ginger led scientists to conclude that “due to the biological functions and cardioprotective properties of ginger and its constituents, it may serve as a new therapeutic agent for various CVDs (cardiovascular diseases).”
Researchers also confirmed that ginger has few adverse effects, deeming the superfood a worthwhile nutraceutical as it provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition, helping to prevent or manage disease.
What makes ginger so beneficial?
Ginger has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting characteristics, primarily due to its phenolic compounds, gingerol and shogaol, says Srihari Naidu, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at New York Medical College.
Phenolic compounds are a diverse group of natural molecules widely found in plants and known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Research shows that gingerol specifically can inhibit inflammation and protect the body from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that destroy cells and DNA).
As Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, the chair of internal medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University explains, shogaol is derived from gingerol, and other studies suggest it carries many of the same health perks as this compound, but it’s also known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are key markers for a stable cardiovascular system.
Additional research in the peer-reviewed journal Biomolecules indicates that ginger favorably affects hallmarks of aging at a cellular level. This is likely because ginger is a natural antioxidant, which can help neutralize free radicals that cause premature aging. However, Naidu says more research is needed to determine ginger’s exact effects on longevity and aging.
How does ginger protect cardiovascular health?
“Ginger has anti-inflammatory effects which help lower inflammation throughout the body, and decreased inflammation of the blood vessels helps improve blood pressure regulation and prevents plaque buildup in your arteries,” says Rohit Vuppuluri, DO, an interventional and vascular cardiologist at Chicago Heart and Vascular Specialists.
The ingredient’s blood-thinning properties may also help prevent blood clots, ultimately reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Regular ginger consumption can significantly reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol (often known as “bad” cholesterol), while increasing HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, says Sathyamoorthy. This is especially beneficial for heart health as high levels of LDL cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, he explains.
Lower triglyceride levels are connected to better health of the inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium), which is important for overall cardiovascular functioning.
How can you reap the cardiovascular benefits of ginger?
Most research on the benefits of ginger involves daily consumption of anywhere from 500 milligrams to two grams, according to Naidu. “I would recommend staying within the lower dose, or around 500 milligrams a day, as higher doses can cause gastrointestinal side effects — such as abdominal discomfort and gas — and possibly increase bleeding risk, especially for those on blood thinners,” he says.
The National Library of Medicine recommends no more than four grams of ginger a day. Some people report heartburn or stomach upset with ginger intake, so those with ulcers should avoid regular consumption in any dose unless cleared by a doctor, says Naidu.
When it comes to the type of ginger, Vuppuluri recommends the raw ingredient because it’s the most potent, leading to maximum antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
These Nordic Berries Are Antioxidant-Rich Superfoods With a Deep-Rooted History Pickled ginger, as seen at Japanese sushi restaurants, is another great, less bitter option. Ginger tea and ginger powder are other accessible ways to incorporate the spice into your routine, though Naidu says more research is needed on the efficacy of both compared to its raw, unprocessed form.
However, keeping ginger consumption consistent is the most important factor for those seeking to take advantage of its benefits.
Naidu also cautions consumers to be careful with ginger supplements, because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you prefer a supplement, your doctor can guide you on the best option, but one helpful tip is to seek out a product that has been third-party tested (for example, NSF-, USP-, or GMP-certified). This means an unbiased party has tested the product and confirmed it only contains the ingredients listed on the label and in the amounts stated.
Ginger has many more additional health benefits
Aside from supporting cardiovascular health, ginger is a digestion superstar. Gingerol is found to stimulate the gut and improve gastrointestinal mobility, which means it helps food move efficiently through the digestive tract.
A New Study Says When You Eat Is More Important Than When You Sleep Plus, thanks to ginger’s ability to increase digestive responsiveness and speed up stomach emptying, it may calm nausea from motion sickness, pregnancy, and chemotherapy, per Naidu.
Those same gingerols have antimicrobial and antifungal properties to help fight infection and boost immunity. The anti-inflammatory agents in ginger may also soothe irritated skin, ease menstrual cramps, and reduce joint pain.
MARY ANN! /sarcasm
My first thought as well.
Love redheads ;-)
“...antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting characteristics, primarily due to its phenolic compounds, gingerol and shogaol...”
~~~
I often wonder how much all these compounds hold up to cooking. A lot of studies, or at least their articles, don’t really clarify if they are studied in raw form, or cooked.
Totally, Maryann all the way.
Mary Ann is more my type...
From the article:
*** When it comes to the type of ginger, Vuppuluri recommends the raw ingredient because it’s the most potent, leading to maximum antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.***
A long, long time ago, I would use Ginger Ale recovering from an illness that included nausea. Once I no longer would vomit with any intake, the Ginger Ale was a great way to settle an unhappy stomach. About 20 years ago, I decided, why not drink it when healthy. We now have raw ginger and one of those charge water systems, so we make our own.
The only woman that could make cream with no eggs or dairy.
“it may calm nausea from motion sickness,”
A few years ago, the Myth Busters guys conducted experiments on the best way to combat nausea from motion sickness — auto, sea sickness, roller coasters, etc. Ginger was the clear winner. Nothing else was even close.
I take ginger capsules with me when I cruise in case of sea sickness. Have never needed them, but they’re there if necessary.
Growing up, if you opened the fridge and saw ginger ale, you knew someone was sick.
Is ginger in the spice isle of the grocery store the raw ginger?
That is not sarcasm. But tell all your friends. Better them than us.
Seasickness can be cured by taking a ginger pill.
confirmed
Both Adam and Grant made it through their spin-chair sessions without feeling ill. ~
Seasickness can be cured by using a placebo, like a vitamin or a sugar pill.
plausible
While Adam didn’t fall for it, Grant was successfully tricked into thinking he had taken a store-bought sea-sickness medication and did not throw up. Unfortunately, by falling for the placebo all his test results had to be thrown out on the grounds of psychosomatic influence.
LOLOLOL my first thought as well.
I hate sushi but had some with my daughter...and the rest of the family. The plate came, I grab something with my fingers and ate a bunch of it and about spit it out. My daughter laughed and said that was ginger, you don’t eat it that way... So much for my cultured life. Went to an Italian restaurant and the wife ordered polenta and I was asked if I’d like the same. I said I’m not eating placenta... another head shaking from the wife. I said it sounds close enough.
I’m a meat and potatoes, van,choc,straw ice cream and black coffee kind of guy. Having eaten local foods around the world is probably why. Even did balut on a bet in the Philippines... alcohol was involved.
Geez I’ve always been a Mary Ann guy!
Maryann here, too!
You’ll find raw ginger in the fruit/veggie aisle of the grocery store, normally near the unpackaged garlic, shallots, etc.
Ginger is priced by the pound so you just break off what you want, keeping in mind that there can be a lot of waste if you choose poorly :)
Balut?! Tell me that’s not true...
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