Ginger is one of the most widely used spices in the world today. In addition to flavoring foods, ginger benefits the body in many ways, including improving mental performance. Ginger is available in different forms i.e. juice, powders, capsules and as fresh rhizomes. The enormous health benefits of ginger make it an excellent additive in almost all foods. Ginger health benefits include;
Ginger as a powerful antioxidant
Ginger is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants play a vital role in neutralizing free radicals. The body’s antioxidant defense system balances the production of free radicals. Oxidative stress occurs in case of alterations between the generation of reactive oxygen species and their neutralization by antioxidant defense. Furthermore, ginger plays an essential role in reducing lipid oxidation and inhibiting the pathogenesis of diseases. 6-dehydroshogaol, 6-shogaol, and 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione are inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophages. 6-shogaol has potent antioxidant properties due to the presence of an unsaturated ketone moiety.
anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammation is a complex immune process involving several mediators, including interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Ginger oil significantly suppresses inflammation, especially joint swelling. In addition, ginger extracts suppress the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and play an important role in the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, essential for arachidonate metabolism and downregulation of inflammatory gene induction.
antitumor activity
Ginger extracts suppress tumor development through upregulation of tumor suppressor gene, induction of apoptosis, and inactivation of vascular endothelial growth factor pathways. Tumor development and progression involve multiple steps that include genetic and metabolic changes. 6-gingerol suppresses transformation, hyperproliferation, and inflammatory processes involved in various phases of carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Furthermore, ginger induces apoptosis in the prostate cancer cell line LnCaP by increasing the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and Bax and also by decreasing the expression of Bcl-2. 6-shogaol is effective against breast cancer by inhibiting cell invasion and reducing expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9. On the other hand, 6-gingerol stimulates apoptosis through the upregulation of cell cycle arrest of NAG-1 and G1 through the downregulation of cyclin D1.
Ginger root extracts and gingerol inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori CagA+ strains, which have a specific gene related to the development of premalignant and malignant gastric lesions. 6-shogaol induces apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cells through the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of caspase-31, and 6-gingerol inhibits lung metastasis containing B16F10 melanoma cells through the activation of CD8+ T cells. 6-gingerol has antitumor activity through the induction of reactive oxygen species, which also triggers the activation of the tumor suppressor p53 and cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
antimicrobial activity
The ethanolic extract of ginger prevents microbial growth. Ginger has antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis. Gingerol and shagelol are the active agents. Ethanol extract of ginger powder and gingerol effectively inhibit Candida albicans. 6-gingerol and 12-gingerol, from the ginger rhizome, are active against periodontal bacteria. 10-Gingerol is an active inhibitor of Mycobacterium avium and M. tuberculosis.
antidiabetic activity
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that originates from an abnormality in the metabolism of carbohydrates derived from a low level of insulin in the blood or from the insensitivity of target organs to insulin. Ginger and its components are effective in controlling diabetes and its complications through its antihyperglycemic effect. Ginger works by inhibiting oxidative stress and the anti-inflammatory process, although the exact mechanism is unknown.
neuroprotective effect
The phenolic and flavonoid compounds in ginger act as powerful neuroprotectors. 6-shogaol has neuroprotective effects in transient global ischemia through inhibition of microglia. Additionally, it exhibits a neuroprotective impact by accelerating the brain’s antioxidant defense mechanisms and down-regulating MDA levels to normal levels.
Effect on osteoarthritis
Ginger is useful in treating osteoarthritis, one of the leading causes of severe musculoskeletal pain and disability. Highly purified and standardized ginger extract significantly reduces symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Additionally, ginger is effective in relieving osteoarthritis symptoms with negligible side effects. It works in a similar way to indomethacin.
gastroprotective effect
The active compounds in ginger have an invigorating role in preventing ulcers. The compounds increase mucin secretion. The compounds 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol are effective in suppressing gastric contraction. Antiemetic effect Ginger and its components show a significant impact on nausea and vomiting.
hepatoprotective effect
Carbon tetrachloride, mancozeb, acetaminophen, and lead are among the important substances that poison the liver. Ginger is effective in inhibiting hepatotoxicity from these chemicals.
Effect on migraine
Powdered ginger is highly effective for migraine relief at a dose of 550 mg every 4 hours for five days.
effect on the eye
Ginger and its components are effective in treating retinopathy, a symptom of diabetes.
