If you’ve been following Great British Bake off, you’ll know they have been busy making tasty, gingery items last week.

When it comes to superfoods, ginger ranks high on the list thanks to its powerful health benefits.

The plant’s flavour is anything but subtle. Many of us love to use this spice to add a nice zest to our home-cooked meals. But ginger’s incredible abilities to soothe everything from digestive problems to inflammation is the reason it deserves plenty of love on your spice rack.

Health Benefits of Ginger

1. Eases Nausea

Sailors have long used ginger root to fight seasickness and vertigo.

2. Ginger Lowers Inflammation

Ginger’s most remarkable compound, gingerol, has a potent anti-inflammatory effect.

That makes ginger a great choice if you’re experiencing pain in your joints, no matter the severity. Numerous studies found ginger effective even for people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, resulting in less pain and better mobility.

3. Ginger Can Lower Cholesterol Levels

4. Ginger Prevents Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Ginger isn’t just a great spice to turn to when you’re nauseous and sick. It can keep you from getting sick in the first place! Its gingerol compounds lower your risk of multiple infections and clears congestion.

Ginger also promotes a cleaner, healthier mouth. It inhibits the growth of oral bacteria linked to gum diseases, like periodontitis and gingivitis.

5. Ginger Relieves Heartburn, Ulcers, and Other Digestive Problems.

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory effects can relax the muscles within your gut lining and help food move through your digestive system smoothly.

6. Ginger Soothes Muscle Pain

If you exercise, you’re all too familiar with the soreness that comes later. It can be painful, and tough to motivate yourself to stick with your routine if you’re already hurting. Ginger helps.

 But the key word here is daily. While ginger definitely eases muscle pain, it doesn’t happen right away. It’s best to have some every day because you won’t notice the pain relief until 24 to 48 hours later.

7. Ginger Promotes a Healthy Mind

Inflammation and oxidative stress accelerate aging. That’s why many scientists believe it is largely responsible for Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive issues. By taking ginger daily, it could improve your working memory and reaction times.

Find ways to make ginger a regular spice for your meals, and you’ll reap the rewards. Whether it’s fighting muscle pain, a stubborn cough, or even protecting your brain and heart, nature has offered us a powerful ally in our quest for health!