It
is often said that “we are what we eat or consume”. Eating good food leads to
healthy and wealthy living. In order to achieve this, it is essential to
consume foods that builds the body, helps prevents diseases, and sicknesses and
makes us physically fit. This food is known as ginger.
Ginger as it is commonly called is also known as zingiber
officinale roscoe. It is a flowering plant in the family zingiberaceae whose
rhizome, ginger root or simply gingers, is widely used as a spice or a
medicine.
However, ginger has been
applauded by its consumers as a product that performs wonder works on health. One of the big time consumer of the product, Amuche Egbujie,
a first year student in Adult Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN
stated that one of the amazing thing she discovered about ginger is that it
stops menstrual pain and washes the stomach when chewed raw. Also, another consumer, Uzoamka said that it helps to burn fat,
stops cough and also good for the heart.
Another consumer in Home Science Nutrition and Dietetics
department bared it all on the uses of ginger in preparation of many foods like
stew, indomie, vegetable dishes, meat,
lentil curries, cakes, biscuits, candies and even beverages like wine, tea and
to mention but a few. She further stated that it can also be used as food
preservative.
Apart from these, ginger has a lot of health benefit which
includes:
1. Cancer
treatment: ginger powder helps in treating cancer. It induces cell death in
cancer cells.
2. Reduction
of pain: ginger is a natural powerful pain killer. it stops aching of the body
and menstrual pain.
3. Stimulation
of essential nutrient in the body: ginger is natural stimulant. It stimulates
the gastric and pancreatic enzyme secretion.
4. Strengthens
immunity: ginger helps to improve the immune system. it helps stop cough and
throat irritation. It is also good for the heart.
5. Maintaining
of normal blood circulation: ginger contains magnesium and zinc which helps to
increase blood flow.
6. Ginger
also helps to get rid of throat and nose congestion
7. Prevention
of diseases and sicknesses: studies have suggested that increasing consumption
of plant foods like ginger decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart
disease and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair,
increase energy and overall lower weight.
8. Cures
morning sickness: pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can safely use
ginger to relieve nausea and vomiting, often in the form of ginger lozenges and
candies.
9. Decreases
inflammation: Gingers has been used for centuries to decrease inflammation and
treat inflammatory conditions.
