Ginger Beer is a carbonated beverage made from ginger root, a low-calorie sweetener, and fructose corn syrup. However, many commercial ginger ales contain plenty of added sugar and very little Ginger. Nevertheless, some traditional varieties of Ginger Beer still include real fermented ginger root juice.
Ginger offers numerous benefits for headaches, heart health, and nausea. Alongside being an antioxidant having anti-inflammatory properties, the varieties of ginger ale containing more Ginger could be good for your overall health.
The dark side of Ginger Beer is that carbonation may cause increased gassiness. Added sugar in ginger ale may lead to chronic diseases if large amounts of the beverage are consumed regularly. However, individuals suffering from ‘phenylketonuria’ should stay away from Ginger Beer as the drink is usually made using ‘phenylalanine’ artificial sweetener.
Moreover, frequent ginger ale in large amounts may also interfere with blood-thinning medications. So beware and read the label properly. Choose a low sugar diet variety that fits your personal health preferences and goals. Look for the one that does not use artificial colouring or high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetening ingredient.
Proven Health Benefits of Ginger Beer
Ginger is a flowering plant species belonging to the ‘Zingiberaceae’ family. It originated in Southeast Asia and is amongst one of the most delicious and healthiest plant varieties on Earth. Ginger is intimately related to turmeric, galangal, and cardamom.
The underground part of the plant is ‘rhizome,’ which is commonly used as a spice known as ginger or ginger root. It is often used as fresh, dried, powdered or as juice or oil. Ginger’s unique flavour and fragrance come from gingerol derived from its natural oils.
Ginger is considered safe to consume, but pregnant women should make it a point to talk to the physician before consuming large amounts. It is recommended that those close to labour or who have had miscarriages in the past avoid Ginger. It is also contraindicated in women having a history of vaginal bleeding and clotting disorders.
- Gingerol: With a long history of being used in traditional and alternative medicine forms, Ginger contains gingerol that has many medicinal properties. It has been used to aid digestion, reduce nausea, morning sickness, help fight the common cold and flu. Gingerol is also found to reduce oxidative stress resulting from excessive amounts of free radicals in the body. Gingerol appears to be highly effective in relieving chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in people undergoing certain types of surgery.
- Help With Weight Loss: According to studies, ginger plays a good role in weight loss. A ginger supplementation review significantly concluded that it reduced the waist-hip ratio, body weight, and hip ratio in obese people who are overweight. Ginger can also help lower blood insulin levels and body mass index (BMI). High blood insulin levels are found to be associated with obesity. Ginger’s ability to influence weight loss is related to specific mechanisms, like reducing inflammation and its potential to help increase the number of calories burned. However, it is ongoing research, and more studies must be conducted.
- Help With Osteoarthritis: OA is a common health problem nowadays. With symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, OA involves degeneration of the joints in the body. With only mild side effects like dissatisfaction with Ginger’s taste and stomach upset, people who used Ginger to treat their OA saw significant reductions in pain and disability. Combining cinnamon, mastic, topical Ginger, and sesame oil can help reduce pain and stiffness. Especially in people with OA of the knee. Various studies show Ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Lowers Blood Sugar & Improves Heart Disease: Ginger reduces blood sugars and drastically improves heart disease risk factors. A couple of grams of ginger powder per day decreased fasting blood sugar by 12% in people with type 2 diabetes. It also dramatically improved haemoglobin—a marker for long-term blood sugar levels. Ginger has potent anti-diabetic properties. Nevertheless, this is just the result portrayed in a small study. Though they are imposing, they need to be confirmed in more extensive studies before any recommendations are made. However, Ginger does not affect fasting blood sugar.
- Helps Treat Chronic Indigestion: Recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach is a sign of chronic indigestion. Delayed emptying of the stomach is found to be a significant driver. Functional dyspepsia is indigestion with no known cause. Interestingly, Ginger has been found to speed up stomach emptying. Consuming Ginger accelerates emptying of the stomach and can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.
- Ginger Reduces Menstrual Pain: Ginger has been traditionally used for pain relief, including menstrual pain. Pain felt during the menstrual cycle is known as dysmenorrhea. Ginger manages to reduce pain as effectively as NSAIDs. Ginger is more effective than a placebo and equally as effective as drugs such as mefenamic acid and acetaminophen, caffeine, and ibuprofen (Novafen). Ginger is most effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period.
- Lowers Bad Cholesterol Levels: Higher levels of LDL or bad cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Ginger as food can have a strong influence on LDL levels. A few grams of ginger powder each day will see a drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. However, most people may have difficulty taking a 3-5 gram dose long enough to see promising results. However, there is enough evidence that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood triglyceride levels as well.
- May Help Prevent Cancer: As an alternative remedy in several forms. Ginger contains a substance that may help prevent cancer. Gingerol is viewed as especially powerful and is found in large amounts in raw ginger. Two grams of ginger extract per day significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules among colorectal cancer patients. Moreover, albeit limited, there is some evidence that ginger may be effective against other gastrointestinal cancers. Ginger is also found to be effective against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Gingerol against cancer seems to have protective effects. Nevertheless, more studies are required to approve how it does.
- Improves Brain Function: Ginger can protect against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline since oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate aging. The antioxidants and bioactive compounds found within Ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain. Ginger can also directly help enhance brain function. Daily doses of the ginger extract have been shown to improve reaction time and working memory among healthy middle-aged women,
- Helps Fight Infection: Gingerol helps lower the risk of infections. Ginger extract inhibits the growth of many different types of oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis. Both of these are inflammatory gum diseases. Ginger is also effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory infections. Overall, ginger helps fight harmful bacteria and viruses. It is most likely to reduce your risk for diseases.
The Bottom Line
Ginger is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds. These are found to have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Ginger is one of the very few superfoods worthy of the term “Superfood.”