Ginger - Properties, Benefits, Contraindications, Calorie Content

The ratio of BJU in the product

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Ginger was first cultivated in North India. At first, the Phoenicians used its rhizomes instead of money, and a little later began to sell them in the Mediterranean states as an expensive and valuable spice. Rhizomes were very expensive, however, despite this, every year it became more and more popular.

The properties of this medicinal plant were studied by the Greek pharmacist and physician Dioscorides. He described ginger as a substance that warms the body and improves metabolism. Dioscorides prescribed ginger root for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the Middle Ages, from Rome and Greece, this spice came to England, and then to other European countries. Elizabeth I was very fond of gingerbread, which was considered a great delicacy.

In our country, the amazing properties of ginger were first learned during the times of Kievan Rus. In the old days, gingerbread cookies were especially popular. The spice was added to liqueurs, Easter cakes, sbitni, and kvass.

And the inhabitants of Soviet Russia were unfamiliar with the aroma and taste of this plant, since after the revolution, the import of spices through the old channels did not resume. That is why ginger root has appeared in our stores relatively recently.

Ginger composition

Ginger contains all the essential amino acids. Its pungent taste is due to the presence of gingerol, a phenol-like substance in its composition. One hundred grams of ground root contains 9.2 g of protein, 6 g of fat, 71 g of carbohydrates, 6 g of fiber, as well as 116 mg of calcium, 12 mg of iron, 184 mg of magnesium, 148 mg of phosphorus, 32 mg of sodium, 4.7 mg zinc, 1.34 mg potassium.

The root also contains 12 mg of ascorbic acid, 0.046 of vitamin B1, 0.19 mg of vitamin B2, 5.2 mg of niacin, 0.015 mg of vitamin A.

It contains the following active ingredients: cineole, felandrin, borneol, camphine, citral, essential oils.

The calorie content of ground ginger is 347 kcal per 100 g, root - 80 kcal.

Useful properties of ginger

The healing properties of ginger have been known for a very long time. So, the inhabitants of Ancient Rome treated eye diseases with this exotic spice. The inhabitants of West Africa used ginger for hoarseness and sore throat. The Chinese people considered the root of this plant to be an excellent natural stimulant and used it as a remedy for premature aging. The Japanese used the root as a medicine for nausea, wounds and hangovers.

Many medicinal properties of ginger are used in medicine today. For healing and medicinal purposes, fresh ginger root, dried ginger root, ginger powder, ginger oil, ginger essential oil are used.

In medicine, this plant is used in the form of tablets, powders, ointments, pastes, solutions and fees.

The benefits of ginger are based on its antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, carminative action. In addition, ginger helps to cleanse the walls of blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques, and also relieves spasms of various origins, stimulates blood circulation, heals boils and ulcers, increases female and male potency, maintains heart muscle tone, has anthelmintic, anticoagulant, aromatic, salivary and diaphoretic effects.

An important benefit of ginger is that it enhances the healing properties of other plants when consumed together.

In addition, the benefits of ginger lie in its ability to relieve rheumatic, headache, joint and muscle pain. Regular consumption of this plant eliminates the need for taking analgesics and other pain relievers.

This spice is useful for acne, hair loss, dandruff.

Ginger is useful for toxicosis during pregnancy. It perfectly relieves nausea, relieves weakness and dizziness. In addition, this plant treats frigidity and infertility, increases the tone of the uterus, relieves cramps during the menstrual period, and also helps to maintain appearance and youth.

The essential oil obtained from ginger root is used in aromatherapy and cosmetology.

Essential oil is used for the preparation of hot and cold baths, massage, compresses, enrichment of dry tea and wine, preparation of aroma medallions.

Slimming ginger

Many people use ginger for weight loss, which is very reasonable, because it belongs to warming products that stimulate blood circulation and speed up metabolism.

For weight loss, ginger should be brewed in the form of tea and be sure to strain before use, otherwise its composition will be very rich. It is better not to drink such tea in the evening, as it has a tonic effect.

Ginger can be used not only on slimming days, but regularly, brewing it with black or green tea.

Ginger - contraindications for use

Ginger is contraindicated in stomach and esophageal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcers.

The use of ginger is contraindicated in sand and stones in the bladder and kidneys.

During pregnancy, ginger or foods containing ginger should be eaten with extreme caution.

You can not use it at high temperatures, with hypersensitivity to ginger, with various bleeding, as well as during the exacerbation of ulcers and hepatitis and inflammatory skin diseases.

Storage methods for ginger

Fresh ginger should be refrigerated for no more than a week. Dried ginger root retains its properties for about four months.

Dried unpeeled ginger should be kept in a cool, dark place. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

Ginger, candied, can keep in the refrigerator for about 30 days.

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