🌿 What is ginger good for?
(with scientific substantiation)
Written by nutrition expert Steffi Haazen from Zuiver Eten:
Ginger has been used for more than 2,500 years in food cultures and traditional herbal medicine around the world. Modern science is increasingly investigating why this root is so special.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains various bioactive compounds, including gingerols and shogaols. Additionally, ginger is naturally a source of potassium, copper, fiber, and antioxidants, among others.
👉 Scientific research shows that ginger contains a high concentration of antioxidative substances and biologically active compounds that can influence the body.¹
🫚 What's in ginger?
Ginger contains, among other things:
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Potassium
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Copper
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Fiber
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Antioxidants
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More than 100 bioactive plant compounds
This combination gives ginger its characteristic taste, aroma, and properties.
🍋 Traditional use for digestion
Ginger is traditionally often used after meals or when feeling heavy in the stomach. In various cultures, ginger tea or ginger juice is consumed to support digestive comfort.
Research suggests that ginger can affect processes in the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastric emptying and enzyme activity.¹
🤢 Widely used for sensitive stomachs
Ginger is traditionally used worldwide when the stomach feels unsettled, for example, during travel or pregnancy.
Reviews of clinical studies describe that ginger has been investigated in various situations in relation to nausea and vomiting.³ ⁴
💪 Part of an active lifestyle
Due to its spicy, warming taste, ginger is often used by people who are consciously engaged in nutrition and vitality.
Research in people with knee osteoarthritis shows that ginger extract is being studied in relation to comfort and mobility.²
🌸 Traditionally used for menstrual discomfort
In various cultures, ginger has long been used during the menstrual period. Scientific studies are investigating possible effects on processes associated with discomfort during the cycle.
🧠 Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress—a process associated with aging and external influences.
Ginger contains various antioxidative compounds that may contribute to this.¹
🛡️ Other traditional applications
Ginger is also traditionally used for:
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A heavy feeling in the stomach
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Fatigue
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Cold seasons
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General well-being support
The extent to which people experience this can vary from person to person.
🥤 Why fresh ginger?
Fresh or minimally processed ginger generally contains the highest concentration of natural bioactive compounds.
When pressed with a slow juicer, the root is crushed rather than heated, optimally preserving flavor, aroma, and nutrients.
⚠️ When to be cautious?
Although ginger is safe for most people, it may be advisable to consult a doctor or specialist first for specific medical conditions or medication use.
💛 A natural daily addition
Ginger is not a miracle cure, but it is a versatile and natural flavor enhancer that has had a permanent place in human nutrition for centuries.
📚 Scientific sources
¹ Mashhadi et al. (2013) — Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger
International Journal of Preventive Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/
² Altman & Marcussen (2001) — Ginger extract for knee osteoarthritis
Arthritis & Rheumatism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11710709/
³ Lete & Allué (2016) — Ginger for nausea and vomiting
Integrative Medicine Insights
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/
⁴ Borrelli et al. (2005) — Ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea
Obstetrics & Gynecology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15802416/
Orthokennis — Ginger monograph
https://www.orthokennis.nl/nutrienten/gember