Ginger is one of the very few “superfoods” worthy of the name.
The history of Ginger goes back over 5000 years when the Indians and ancient Chinese considered it a tonic root for all ailments. Roman, Greek and Arabic texts also documented the use of ginger root to help improve health and well-being.
It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.
The health benefits of ginger are largely due to its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and content of therapeutic compounds like gingerol, shogaol, paradol and zingerone.
Ginger contains the digestive enzyme zingibain, which is a protease. It may aid digestion by helping food move faster through the digestive tract and boosting the body’s own production of digestive enzymes.
10 Science Informed Reasons to Include Ginger in Your Dog’s Diet:
- Ginger Contains Gingerol, a Substance with Powerful Medicinal Properties – gingerol is a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (1, 32)
- Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness – Ginger appears to be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain, and may reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness. (7, 8)
- The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help with Osteoarthritis – there are many studies showing ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis a very common health problem. (9, 32, 33)
- Ginger May Drastically Lower Blood Sugars and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors – Ginger has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. (11, 34)
- Ginger Can Help Treat Chronic Indigestion – Ginger appears to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort. (12, 13)
- Ginger Boosts the Body’s Production of Digestive Enzymes – Ginger contains the digestive enzyme zingibain, which is a protease. It may aid digestion by helping food move faster through the digestive tract and boosting the body’s own production of digestive enzymes.
- Ginger May Lower Cholesterol Levels and Support Heart Health – there is evidence, in both animals and humans, that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels at similar levels to the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin. (15, 16)
- Ginger Contains a Substance That May Help Prevent Cancer – contains a substance called 6-gingerol, which may have protective effects against cancer. (17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- Ginger May Improve Brain Function and Protect Against Cognitive Dysfunction – studies suggest that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain. It can also improve brain function. (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- The Active Ingredient in Ginger Can Help Fight Infections – shown to inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria including oral bacteria responsible for gingivitis and periodontitis. May also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections. (29, 30, 31, 32)
