What are the benefits, effects, and dietary contraindications of ginger?

Ginger is known by different names in different places, such as ginger skin, ginger, ginger root, and hundred-spice cloud, and it is a common ingredient used in stir-frying. It can be eaten and applied externally. Below we will discuss the effects, functions, and contraindications of eating ginger.

1. Introduction to Ginger

1. What environment does ginger need to grow?

Ginger originated in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. It likes a warm, humid climate and has weak cold resistance and drought resistance. The plant can only grow during the frost-free period. The most suitable temperature for growth is 25-28°C. When the temperature is below 20°C, sprouting is slow. When frost occurs, the plant will wither, and if the rhizome is frostbitten, it will completely lose its ability to sprout.

2. What are the main producing areas of ginger?

The main producing areas of ginger include central-eastern, southeastern, and southwestern China, including Laifeng, Tongshan, Yangxin, Echeng, Xianning, and Tongling. It is widely cultivated in Changyi, Anqiu, and other cities in Shandong Province, and is also commonly cultivated in tropical regions of Asia.

2. Effects, Functions, and Contraindications of Ginger

Ginger contains pungent and aromatic components. The pungent component is "gingerone" in an aromatic volatile oil. The main components are ginger terpene, eucalyptol, starch, mucilage, etc. The edible portion accounts for 95%. Below is the compiled nutritional composition table.

1. Ginger can inhibit tumors: Ginger has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Ginger oil can significantly inhibit spontaneous activity in mice, prolong sodium pentobarbital sleep time, counteract pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions, and lower body temperature in yeast-induced fever rats. The site of action on the central nervous system is at a level above the spinal cord, and its mechanism may be related in some way to inhibiting the facilitation process of excitatory synapses.

2. Anti-pathogenic microorganism effects of ginger: Ginger extract has obvious inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its effect is concentration-dependent. The inhibitory effect is strongest against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus. Ginger root extract acting on HBsAg for 1-3 hours can significantly reduce the P/N value of HBsAg, but after more than 3 hours, its rate of decrease no longer increases. Ginger water infusion has a strong bactericidal effect on Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae in vitro. In test tubes, it has an inhibitory effect on Trichophyton. Gingerol and ginger phenol in ginger rhizomes have the effect of killing mollusks and killing schistosomes, and can be used to treat schistosomiasis.

3. Ginger has an antioxidant effect: Adding reactive oxygen scavengers or ginger extract can inhibit DNA damage caused by lipid peroxidation; ginger extract can also inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species and the oxidation of linoleic acid.

4. Ginger has the effect of removing fishy and gamy odors: When stir-frying fish, mutton, and other meats with strong odors, adding ginger can remove odors and also enhance freshness.

5. Ginger has the effect of stimulating appetite and strengthening the spleen and promoting appetite: The stimulating nature of ginger can speed up gastrointestinal peristalsis and improve appetite.

6. Ginger can prevent motion sickness and prevent nausea and vomiting: If you feel dizzy or want to vomit while riding in a car, eating some ginger can help relieve the symptoms.

7. Ginger can dispel cold and relieve cold symptoms: In the early stages of a cold or when exposed to cold, boil ginger in water or cola, and drink it while hot to remove cold from the body.

8. Do not peel ginger when using it; just wash it clean. If the ginger is spoiled, do not eat it anymore.

9. A Chinese saying goes: radish when going to bed, ginger when getting out of bed, meaning it is better to eat ginger in the morning and radish at night, because ginger is a stimulating food, so do not eat it at night, as eating it is bad for the stomach and intestines.

10. Patients with body heat, pneumonia, diabetes, hemorrhoids, etc. should also not eat ginger.

3. The Price of Ginger

1. The table below shows the compiled ginger prices in some regions:

2. Some processed ginger products: such as canned ginger (there are many brands on the market), ginger oil, ginger extract, etc., and their prices also vary.