Nutritional Profile

Ground ginger provides 335 calories per 100gm; 4.2g fat, 9g of protein, 72g of carbohydrates and 27mg of sodium.

Interesting facts

· Ginger is actually a rhizome, an underground stem, not a root.

· The ginger plant serves as a herb.

· Ginger is a part of the Zingiberaceae family, which also includes turmeric and cardamom.

· It is native to southeastern Asia.

· Ginger is popularly grown in warmer regions and the tropics. It can be cultivated all year round. However, the best time to plant it is at the end of winter and early spring.

Health facts

· Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, regulates blood sugar and provides gastrointestinal relief.

· In a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, three grams of ginger powder caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers.

· Ginger extract has been studied as an alternative treatment for several forms of cancer. The anti-cancer properties are attributed to 6-gingerol, a substance that is found in large amounts in raw ginger.

· Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria.

· In a study on the effects of ginger on osteoarthritis, researchers found that the ginger extract group experienced higher rates of reduction in knee pain on standing (63 per cent) as compared to the control group (50 per cent).

Study

In a study, it was found that consuming two grams of ginger per day, for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises.