On their own, these two rhizomes are rock stars in the world of nutritious cuisine, but when combined, they are at the top of the charts. The following is a list of beneficial properties of ginger and turmeric, as well as a few delectable dishes that will help you enjoy them.
Ginger and turmeric have been ingested for centuries, and throughout the course of that time, they have garnered a rather well-deserved reputation for being very beneficial to one’s health. Here is all you need to know about them, including what they are, the health advantages they provide, and how you can begin eating more of them right now.
Which Ingredients Are Ginger and Turmeric?
Rhizomes, such as ginger and turmeric, have been used for human consumption for thousands of years now. Ginger is said to have originated in ancient China and India, where it was used both as a spice and as a medicinal. This information comes from the National Library of Medicinal. As a natural treatment, it was regarded for a long time to be effective in treating motion sickness, nausea, pain, and digestive trouble. As a result of this, it quickly expanded across Asia and Europe, and it is today a staple food item in many households.
Since ancient times, turmeric has also been cultivated throughout southeast Asia, with India continuing to be the largest producer of this spice. The rhizome, which is a portion of the plant that develops underground and generates shoots from its sides, is the source of both of these edibles. The rhizome is comparable to a root system. When they are ready to be picked, both plants produce lovely blossoms that are suspended above the ground.
In spite of the fact that both roots seem to be the same on the surface, turmeric has a richer golden-orange hue and has a deep orange color underneath its membrane. Ginger is found to have a more beige-like hue, much like a potato. To compare, ginger has a flavor that is warm and spicy while still being sweet, but turmeric has a flavor that is earthy, peppery, and somewhat bitter.
Health Benefits of Ginger and Turmeric
Pain-Relieving
Turmeric and ginger, according to the hypothesis of traditional Chinese medicine, have the potential to alleviate pain for a wide range of conditions. One of the most powerful anti-inflammatory compounds found in turmeric is called curcumin, and it has been shown that it may help alleviate the symptoms of unpleasant inflammatory disorders such as arthritis and colitis. Ginger, for instance, seems to have a delayed therapeutic activity, which means that it may be used for chronic pain. However, according to a study that was published in the year 2021 in the journal Pharmaceutics, it may not be beneficial for more acute pain, such as those caused by a headache. According to the same study, turmeric has been shown to significantly enhance the quality of life and reduce the amount of discomfort experienced by breast cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy.
Antioxidant-Rich
In terms of the defensive chemicals they contain, ginger and turmeric are both great providers. Particularly when combined with garlic, the antioxidants that ginger contains may be able to aid in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. To add insult to injury, turmeric is an even more powerful antioxidant. The antioxidant capacity may be evaluated in a number of different ways, and each of these methods produces somewhat different findings. Turmeric and ginger, on the other hand, are considered to be among the foods that have the highest concentrations of antioxidants.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Ginger and turmeric, when taken separately, both have significant anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical in ginger known as gingerol is responsible for the strong taste of ginger as well as many of the defensive characteristics that ginger has. Ginger contains a number of different forms of gingerol as well as other chemicals that have been shown to be effective in alleviating inflammatory disorders. These illnesses range from the common cold to inflammatory bowel disease. The chemical known as 6-shogaol, which is present in ginger, was shown to be responsible for reducing inflammation in the cells of blood arteries, according to a research that was published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2022.
Turmeric is not an exception to this rule since it belongs to the same family of plants. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin are once again at the forefront of the discussion. A review that was published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture in 2021 highlights research after study that demonstrates the many advantages of curcumin, including the remarkable anti-inflammatory capabilities that it has.
Ginger and turmeric, like many other traditional culinary combinations, are genuinely enhanced when consumed together. The chemical components found in ginger and turmeric are investigated in detail in a research that was published in the journal Molecules in 2022. The study focuses on how these chemicals act to alleviate inflammation in the body. The authors of this research note that since inflammation is a key contributing factor in a wide variety of chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders, they advocate combining ginger with turmeric in order to get the most possible benefits.
Good for the Heart
Not only can these tuberous roots safeguard your brain and muscles, but they also have the potential to assist maintain the health of your heart. A condition known as high blood pressure may develop when plaque and platelets get lodged in the blood arteries of the body. Because of this, your heart will be under more strain as it pumps blood, which will result in a rise in your blood pressure.
According to a meta-analysis that was published in Phytotherapy Research in 2019, ginger has been shown to have the ability to reduce blood pressure. In 2019, a study published in Pharmacological Research found that turmeric, when consumed over an extended period of time, may also have the effect of decreasing blood pressure. An additional finding from a meta-analysis published in Chemico-Biological Interactions in 2019 suggests that ginger and turmeric both have the potential to reduce cholesterol levels.
Anti-Cancer Treatment
A research study that was conducted in 2018 and published in the journal JCO Global Oncology examined the spices that may have a function in the prevention of cancer. In a short amount of time, ginger and turmeric appeared at the top of the list. Both of these substances prevent the development of nitrosamines and nitrosamides, which are known to be carcinogenic. Nitrites found in cured meats were the source of people’s suspicions, and they are the identical components that created that suspicion. According to reports, turmeric also offers some extra advantages to those who smoke tobacco.
Through the use of the root, cigarette users were able to eliminate the carcinogenic components that were harmful to their health, while simultaneously raising the levels of beneficial substances, such as antioxidants, in their bodies. In light of all the study that has been done on the toxins that are found in the environment, fresh herbs and spices are an excellent way to add some protection to your meal.
Soothing to the Stomach
When it comes to treating nausea at home, ginger is a well-known treatment; but, how does the research measure up? Many research have been conducted to investigate the reasons why ginger may calm an upset stomach, and the general view is that, in a nutshell, it is effective. Additionally, gingerol, which is an antioxidant molecule found in ginger, interacts with the serotonin receptors in your brain, often known as the “feel good” hormone, in order to alleviate any pain you may be experiencing. There may be therapeutic implications for women who are pregnant as well as for those who are undergoing chemotherapy. For instance, in a study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2022, researchers discovered that pregnant women who consumed ginger had a 7.5 times lower risk of experiencing nausea in comparison to those who consumed a placebo. Additionally, ginger seemed to reduce the chance of nausea and vomiting in those who were undergoing chemotherapy, according to the same research.
Providing Immune Support
Ginger is often suggested as a treatment for the common cold, and there is evidence to support this recommendation, according to a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences in the year 2020. In a study that was published in the journal International Immunopharmacology in 2018, researchers discovered that the same molecules that give turmeric its anti-inflammatory properties may also prevent you from getting pneumonia and influenza. However, the study did not include human participants. And a research that was published in the Journal of General Virology in the year 2020 discovered that curcumin was effective in eliminating a virus that was located in the gastrointestinal tract. When you are feeling under the weather in the future, drinking some ginger-turmeric tea can be something you want to consider doing.
Methods for Utilizing Ginger and Turmeric
Ginger and turmeric are both available in a variety of food shops, where they may be purchased in the form of a powder, a whole root, or a supplement. Powdered roots have a shelf life that is much longer than entire roots. If you want to keep the roots in their full form, you should put them in a dry and dark location, such as a brown paper bag. It is possible to investigate their roots in order to comprehend the reasons for the prevalence of their tastes in a variety of Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines. As a matter of fact, ginger and turmeric are both primary components in a variety of curry powders.
Both ginger and turmeric are essential ingredients for a wide variety of dishes, including stir-fries, stews, curries, and teas. The addition of either one to smoothies or juices results in a delicious and tart beverage. Simply make sure that you peel both of them before you use them. The color of turmeric is more vibrant, but its taste is not as strong as that of ginger. Turmeric should be used in greater quantities for this reason, whereas ginger, which is known for its pungent and spicy properties, should be used less often.
It is important to understand that our bodies have a tough time absorbing curcumin on its own. As a result of the fact that it is 2,000 times more easily absorbed when combined with black pepper, as stated in a review that was published in Foods in 2017, you should be sure to include a pinch of pepper in your curries or golden milk.
There are several advantages associated with ginger and turmeric. In addition to being excellent when used in recipes on their own, they also make for a delectable culinary combination, and they may even have some synergistic health advantages. Incorporating turmeric and ginger into your diet may be beneficial for a number of reasons, including enhancing your immune system and providing pain relief. If you want to significantly increase your body’s capacity to absorb curcumin, you should be sure to remember to include black pepper in any foods that include turmeric.
