No, ginger is not a probiotic. But it has so many benefits that are similar to the advantages that probiotics provide.
The same study discussed in the cayenne pepper section also showed that ginger increases the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species – basically behaving like a prebiotic.
Ginger has been shown to modulate the composition of gut microbiota. Studies investigating treatments for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) have shown that ginger significantly improved the diversity of gut microbiota, which accelerated overall microbiome recovery.
Additionally, the quantitative PCR results showed that 6-gingerol (6G), as the main polyphenol in GE, increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium significantly. Therefore, 6G is expected to be a potential prebiotic that improves human health by promoting gut health.
Many people wonder if they can take both ginger and probiotics at the same time. Yes, you can! They work together to provide health benefits that you may be seeking.
Soothes the Gut Lining-Ginger increases the presence of prostaglandins, which are hormone like substances in the body. They fight against inflammation, which protects and heals the gut lining.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.
“Turmeric may help to improve intestinal barrier function as well as increasing enzyme activity, helping to digest your foods. I recommend using it as you would garlic and ginger when cooking. You can use fresh or powdered (ground) turmeric. It's one of the main ingredients in a curry.
Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.
Compounds in the ginger plant—notably gingerols and shogaols—may help speed up digestion (which is slower during pregnancy and while undergoing chemotherapy) and reduce markers of inflammation (a possible source of nausea during chemotherapy) at doses around 1g of ginger per day.
Fights Germs
In addition to adding an extra layer of flavor, ginger helps prevent infections and fight germs! The chemical compounds that ginger is composed of can kill off harmful bacteria, such as E. Coli and Shigella. They can also kill viruses, such as a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
For example, ginger increases serotonin and dopamine levels. This can reduce inflammation, which may cause depression. Ginger could also provide benefits for anxiety, depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ease stomach pains: Ginger can treat nausea and motion sickness.
Oats and barley contain the highest amount of the prebiotic fiber, beta-glucan, which has been found to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feed the gut bacteria. Both whole oats and barley can be turned into porridge or stewed overnight for a muesli-type breakfast packed with filling nutrients.
New research suggests that turmeric may also act as a prebiotic (essential food for probiotics). Keep reading to find out how these supplements benefit you when you take them individually and how taking turmeric and probiotics together can maximize the benefits of each.
Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period. Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding. Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.
Ginger is identified as an excellent herb, which can improve functional attributes of kidneys. They are helpful in food digestion, improvement in blood purification and increase in the flow of oxygenated blood towards kidneys.
Ginger may cause heartburn and digestive distress in some people with excess consumption. Sometimes, excess intake may cause allergic reactions in some people, which may lead to skin inflammation and rashes.
People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.
Like many classic food pairings, ginger and turmeric truly are better together. A 2022 study in the journal Molecules goes into depth about how the chemical compounds in both ginger and turmeric work to reduce inflammation in the body.
Eating ginger can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas. Wear and tear on cells. Ginger contains antioxidants. These molecules help manage free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells when their numbers grow too high.
Ginger tea is great anytime during the day, but the best time to drink ginger tea is in the morning. When taken in the first 30 minutes after you awake, it helps your body end its overnight fast, charge up your metabolism, and prevent nausea.
Ginger has powerful components that lower blood sugar levels and prevent heart disease. Eating ginger every day can regulate the production of insulin in patients with diabetes. Due to the cholesterol-lowering abilities in ginger, it prevents heart-related diseases and strokes.