Ginger Root Extract: Helps with Digestion Problems and Nausea

• Ginger root extract has been shown effective against motion sickness
• Ginger roots can also minimize nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy, surgery or chemotherapy
• Recent research has supported the idea of ginger being a powerful antioxidant

If you like sushi, you’ve probably cleaned your palette with it. If you’ve made a pumpkin pie, you’ve used it as a seasoning. If you’ve traveled to other parts of the world, you may have drunk beer or eaten candy made from it. All of those things are possible with ginger root. And while those are some great uses, they are nothing compared to the health benefits provided by ginger root extract.

Some Ginger Background

The spice known as ginger is literally a root from a plant called Zingiber officinale. The plant grew naturally in the East in countries like India and in parts of Southeast Asia. Some of the Caribbean islands also grow ginger plants, as do some of the countries in West Africa. Currently, India and China are the two leading producers of ginger root – making up a combined 50% of all ginger production in the world. Throughout its long history, its medicinal properties have been one of many reasons for its continued popularity.

Ginger Root Extract & Digestion Problems

One of the most common uses for ginger as a medical supplement in the United States is to fight motion sickness. Eighty sailors who had a tendency to fill sick while at sea were involved in one study to determine whether or not ginger could really help with this problem. Some of the people took a placebo while others took powdered ginger root. Those participants who took the ginger root saw greatly reduced symptoms, including less nausea and vomiting. Another study actually found ginger root extract to be more effective against motion sickness than the leading over-the-counter medication for the condition. Plus, taking ginger is safe, even according to the FDA.

However, ginger root doesn’t just help with motion sickness. It can help with other digestion problems. For example, morning sickness can make expecting mothers feel horrible on a daily basis and can even put their health in jeopardy in severe cases. However ginger has been shown to reduce the incidents of nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, too.

Plus, additional studies have shown that ginger can help prevent nausea after chemotherapy and surgery.

A Powerful Antioxidant

Free radicals in our body can do a lot of damage which is why we need a strong antioxidant to fight back and to prevent that damage from occurring. Ginger root extract is definitely a powerful antioxidant.

A recent study conducted on a relatively small number of volunteers – 20 healthy people and 20 people who had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease – demonstrated these qualities. The two groups were divided randomly into two different groups. Some were given ginger while the other group took a placebo. After four weeks, the level of oxidation on lipoproteins in the blood was tested and compared to results acquired prior to the study. The comparison found a significant decline in oxidation in the patients who had used ginger while no change was found in the patients who took the placebo.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.