Need Another Reason to Love Ginger? A New Study Shows It Can Provide a Major Health Benefit

Yahoo

21-04-2025

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.
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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.
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.
'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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Read the original article on Food & Wine