Ginger nutrition values, health benefits and side effects
ginger root, ginger tea and extracts     Zhion@zhion.com
GINGER MAY HAVE BENEFITS ON VARIOUS CONDITIONS; RESEARCH
FINDS

ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITIES AND PROTECTION OF SOME GASTRIC
DISEASES  
Ginger root extract was demonstrated to have a
dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. [5] A
methanol ginger root extract containing gingerols inhibited the growth of
all HP strains. [1] In another in vitro study,  ginger root extracts
containing the gingerols inhibited the growth of H. pylori CagA+ strains.
[4] Since, helicobacter pylori (HP) is the primary etiological agent
associated with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and the development of
gastric and colon cancer, some researchers believe that ginger and its
extracts may benefit those suffered from certain gastric diseases.

ANTIEMETIC AND ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITIES RELIEF OF MORNING SICKNESS
AND VOMITING
Ginger root extract is found to have anxiolytic and
antiemetic activities. Animals treated with ginger root extract show
decreased occupancy in the closed arm of the elevated plus maze
suggesting the presence of anxiolytic principles. Ginger root extract also
blocked lithium sulphate-induced conditioned place aversion indicating
antiemetic activity. [16] Four double-blind randomized placebo-controlled
trial suggests that
ginger root is helpful for women suffering from
morning sickness, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. [2] Its effects on
nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is as good as vitamin B6. A study
in Thailand of 138 women shows that there is no significant difference
between ginger and vitamin B6 for the treatment of nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy. [3]

GASTINTESTINAL MOTILITY ENHANCEMENT Ginger Root (Zingiberis
Rhizome) enhanced the transport of a charcoal meal in study of mice.
[17]
ANDROGENIC ACTIVITIES Ginger root extract significantly increased
in the relative weight of the testis, the serum testosterone level,
testicular cholesterol level and epididymal a-glucosidase activity in a
study of Wistar rats. [18]

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATION ACTIVITIES Ginger root
extract was shown to have antioxidant activities in a cell study. It may
contain  more 50 antioxidants. [6]  In one study, ginger rhizome (Zingiber
officinale) was found to protects mice against radiation-induced lethality.
The irradiation of animals resulted in a dose-dependent elevation in the
lipid peroxidation. However, treatment of mice with ginger rhizome
before irradiation caused a significant depletion in lipid peroxidation. [21]
Ginger root extract was also demonstrated o reduce rat paw and skin
edema. [12]
Because ginger has these two important activities, it has
benefits on multiple conditions:

GINGER MAY LOWER RISKS OF ATHEROMA / ATHEROSCLEROSIS Ginger
was found to inhibit 50% of a distinct development of atheroma in the
aorta and coronary arteries of rabbits in a study. There was also distinct
decrease in lipid peroxidation and enhancement of fibrinolytic activity in
ginger treated animals. Authors suggested the protection was probably
because of its free radical scavanging, prostaglandin inhibitory and fibri
properties. [7]

GINGER MAY LOWER RISKS OF ARTHRITIS Ginger root extract can be used
to treat osteoarthritis, as researchers found ginger decreased the
productin of inflammatory mediators in sow osteoarthrotic cartilage
explants. [8]

GINGER MAY REDUCE RISKS OF CANCERS Adding ginger root extract into
drinking water was found to reduce the risk of mammary tumor in study
of mice. [11] Dietary ginger constituents, galanals A and B, are found to
be potent apoptosis inducers in Human T lymphoma Jurkat cells [20] In
addition, the rhizome of ginger contains pungent vanillyl ketones,
including [6]-gingerol and [6]-paradol, and has been reported to possess
a strong anti-inflammatory activity. These pungent substances have a
vanilloid structure found in other chemopreventive phytochemicals,
including curcumin. Surh YJ et al, Seoul National University, found
anti-tumor properties of these compounds. Topical application of
[6]-gingerol or [6]-paradol 30 min prior to
12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) attenuated the skin
papillomagenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in female
ICR mice.

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric oxide (NO) and its
derivatives, e.g. peroxynitrite (ONOO-), have been proposed as being
able to influence signal transduction and cause DNA damage,
contributing to carcinogenic processes. While, [6]-gingerol is found to be
a potent inhibitor of NO synthesis and also an effective protector against
peroxynitrite-mediated damage. [10] While, other researchers found that
6-gingerol induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. However, this activity was
not related its anti-oxidative activity. [9]

GINGER MAY HELP DIABETES Antidiabetic and hypoglycemic drugs
enhance adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Study
demonstrates gingerol-treated cells increase insulin-sensitive glucose
uptake. Thus, ginger may enhance the insulin-sensitivity, and improve
chronic disease, such as diabetes. [13]

In a study with diabetic rats, treatment with Z. officinale (i.e. ginger)
produced a significant increase in insulin levels and a decrease in fasting
glucose levels in diabetic rats. In an oral glucose tolerance test,
treatment with Z. officinale was found to decrease significantly the area
under the curve (i.e. the extent of absorption) of glucose and to increase
the area under the curve of insulin in STZ-diabetic rats. Treatment with Z.
officinale also caused a decrease in serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride
and blood pressure in diabetic rats. The data suggest a potential
antidiabetic activity of the juice of Z. officinale in type I diabetic rats,
possibly involving 5-HT receptors. [14]

Acute hyperglycemia evokes gastric slow wave dysrhythmias via
endogenous prostaglandin generation. Ginger exhibits slow wave
antiarrhythmic effects. [15]

GINGER MAY SLOW DOWN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS An
important feature for Alzheimer's disease is neuritic plaque. Neuritic
plaques are extracellular deposits of beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta). In
the central nervous system neuritic plaques are surrounded by activated
microglial cells expressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and
neurotoxic mediators. Long-term activation of microglial cells is suspected
to contribute to the neuron loss in Alzheimer's disease.

Current research findings indicate that ginger can inhibit the activation of
human monocytic THP-1 cells by different pro-inflammatory stimuli and
reduce the expression of a wide range of inflammation-related genes in
these microglial-like cells. Consequently, ginger extract may be useful in
delaying the onset and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders
involving chronically activated microglial cells in the central nervous
system. [19]

Ginger Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings
Ginger appears to be safe in most studies. No adverse reaction or side
effect of ginger in laboratory data were noted. [22-24] Also, no severe
ginger side effects nor adverse reactions or haematological and
biochemical changes were reported in a study of healthy subjects. [24]
However, a few studies reported ginger side effects. The side effects are
mild and include gastrointestinal disturbance, sleepiness, restless,
sedation and heartburn. In a study of emesis of 48 gynecologic cancer
patients, ginger induced restless. [25] While, another study of treating
nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, ginger induced sedation and
heartburn. [26] Finally, an report of using ginger as an antiemetic, 3.3%
suffered from mild gastrointestinal symptoms and sleepiness, both not
requiring specific treatments. [27]

Ginger may interact certain types of drugs. Ginger may interact with
surgical medications including anesthesia, leading to arrhythmias, poor
wound healing, bleeding, photosensitivity reaction, and prolonged
sedation. [28] Ginger has platelet inhibition properties, which may
interact with anticoagulant and analgesics to cause bleeding. [29]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION,
PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008. zhion DO
NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THE CONTENT TO OTHER WEBSITES.

[1] [Mahady GB et al, University of Illinois at Chicago, Anticancer Res. 2003
Sep-Oct;23(5A):3699-702].[2]  [Willetts KE et al, University of New South Wales, Australia, Aust N Z
J Obstet Gynaecol. 2003 Apr;43(2):139-44] [Bryer E, J Midwifery Womens Health. 2005
Jan-Feb;50(1):e1-3] [3] [Sripramote M et al, Vajira Hospital, Thailand, J Med Assoc Thai. 2003
Sep;86(9):846-53] [4] Mahady GB et al, Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and the gingerols
inhibit the growth of Cag A+ strains of Helicobacter pylori. Anticancer Res. 2003
Sep-Oct;23(5A):3699-702. [5] Jagetia GC., Influence of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale Rosc)
on survival, glutathione and lipid peroxidation in mice after whole-body exposure to gamma
radiation. Radiat Res. 2003 Nov;160(5):584-92.
[6] Masuda Y. Antioxidant properties of gingerol related compounds from ginger. Biofactors.
2004;21(1-4):293-6.[7] Verma SK et al, RNT Medical College, India, Indian J Exp Biol. 2004
Jul;42(7):736-8 [8] Shen CL et al, Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) on decreasing the
production of inflammatory mediators in sow osteoarthrotic cartilage explants. J Med Food. 2003
Winter;6(4):323-8.[9] Wang CC et al, Taipei Medical University, In Vivo. 2003
Nov-Dec;17(6):641-5.[10] Ippoushi K et al, National Agricultural Research Organization, Japan,
Life Sci. 2003 Nov 14;73(26):3427-37] [11] Nagasawa H et al, Effects of bitter melon (Momordica
charantia l.) or ginger rhizome (Zingiber offifinale rosc) on spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in
SHN mice. Am J Chin Med. 2002;30(2-3):195-205][12] Penna SC et al, Anti-inflammatory effect of
the hydralcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizomes on rat paw and skin edema.
Phytomedicine. 2003;10(5):381-5.[13] [Sekiya K et al, National Agricultural Research Center,
Japan, Biofactors. 2004;22(1-4):153-6][14] Akhani SP et al, L. M. College of Pharmacy, India, J
Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 Jan;56(1):101-5.[15]. Gonlachanvit S et al, 3912 Taubman Center, MI, J
Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003 Dec;307(3):1098-103. Epub 2003 Oct 08][16] Vishwakarma SL et al,
Anxiolytic and antiemetic activity of Zingiber officinale. Phytother Res. 2002 Nov;16(7):621-6.[17]  
Yamahara J et al Gastrointestinal motility enhancing effect of ginger and its active constituents.
Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1990 Feb;38(2):430-1.[18] Kamtchouing P Evaluation of androgenic
activity of Zingiber officinale and Pentadiplandra brazzeana in male rats. Asian J Androl. 2002
Dec;4(4):299-301[19] [Grzanna R et al, RMG Biosciences, Inc., Baltimore, MD.J Altern
Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1009-13].[20] Miyoshi N et al, Nagoya University Graduate
School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Japan, Cancer Lett. 2003 Sep 25;199(2):113-9]. [21] [Jagetia
G et al, Kasturba Medical College, India, Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2004 Aug;19(4):422-35]
[22] Kobayashi H et al, Diet and Japanese herbal medicine for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis:
efficacy and safety. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(5-6):197-202.[23] Borrelli F et al, Effectiveness
and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Obstet Gynecol.
2005 [24] Oliveira CH et al,  Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia
cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy
volunteers. Phytother Res. 2005 Jan;19(1):54-7. Apr;105(4):849-56. [25] Manusirivithaya S et al,
Antiemetic effect of ginger in gynecologic oncology patients receiving cisplatin. Int J Gynecol
Cancer. 2004 Nov-Dec;14(6):1063-9. [26]  Sripramote M et al, A randomized comparison of ginger
and vitamin B6 in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. J Med Assoc Thai. 2003
Sep;86(9):846-53. [27]  Betz O et al, Is ginger a clinically relevant antiemetic? A systematic
review of randomized controlled trials. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2005
Feb;12(1):14-23.[28]  Ciocon JO et al, Dietary supplements in primary care. Botanicals can affect
surgical outcomes and follow-up. Geriatrics. 2004 Sep;59(9):20-4. [29 ]Kruth P et al,
Ginger-associated overanticoagulation by phenprocoumon. : Ann Pharmacother. 2004
Feb;38(2):257-60. Epub 2003 Dec 19. Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse
interactions with analgesic drugs. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2002 Dec;27(6):391-401.
Do you know how to
prepare ginger ice
tea?
It is simple. You
boil ginger and tea
bags together. Then,
remove the tea bag
and add in sugar. Stir
and cool it down. Add
ice. That is it. Right. It
is ginger ice tea. You
can adjust the spicy of
the tea by controlling
the number of ginger
slices you add. You can
also add orange into
the ginger ice tea too!!
www.bhg.com Online
Publication June 10 2005.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER? According to some studies, ginger may support
gastrointestinal ailments,, lower the risks of cancers, diabetes and some other chronical diseases. And,
these health benefits are highly related to ginger's main  active ingredients -gingerols.
Ginger tea is not
expensive and may
have various health
benefits
.

Ginger tea is not
expensive at all. One
pack of ginger tea
bags costs about
$7.0. Ginger Peach is
about $7 per oz and
you can request
decafinated ginger tea
bags!!
There are various
combinations for
ginger tea. The ginger
tea banded "Healing
Herbs of China"
consists of ginger,
licorice and jasmine
flower while Ginger
Peach Tea has three
choices- ginger, ginger
with green tea or
ginger with rooibos.
You also can find
ginger root tea, ginger
digest tea bags,
republic of tea
pineapple ginger
green, Stash ginger
tea, orange ginger
mint, lemon ginger
tea, jamaican ginger
tea, rubus-ginger tea,
rasphberry-ginger
organic tea, ginger
yerba mate ta, ginger
peppermint tea, yogi
tea co.
raspberry-ginger tea,
ginger honey, ginger
milk tea in the market.
Popular
Supplements
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Almond
Bladderwrack
Bilberry
Chromium
CLA
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Colostrum
Dandelion
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eve. Primrose Oil
Fish Oil
Flaxseed
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Gotu Kola
Guar Gum
Hyaluronic acid
Lecithin
Lycopene
Milk Thistle
Nattokinase
Passion Flower
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Pycnogenol
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Royal Jelly
Stevia
Whey
Xylitol

More Supplements