Ginger is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Asia, but the great benefits of its consumption have extended its use to the rest of the world, so it is becoming more and more common to take it to take advantage of its properties. In addition, it is a prized condiment at a gastronomic level, being included in this way in different dishes.
Despite taking into account the benefits of ginger, eating it raw carries certain health risks as long as it is not done properly. In addition, an excessive intake of this medicinal plant, in whatever format, can cause a series of side effects for the body.
Can I eat raw ginger?
You have probably heard that consuming ginger has numerous health benefits. However, many people wonder: what if I eat raw ginger? If you are one of them, you will be interested to know that, indeed, it is a natural product with excellent properties for the body, so you can eat it raw .
However, the problem lies in how raw ginger is consumed. You will only obtain all its benefits if you make a controlled and responsible consumption of the plant. It is essential that you inform yourself of the amount you can eat in correspondence to your age and health since, in case of suffering from any disease or condition, the intake of ginger, or any other plant or medicine, should be measured even more. The side effects of this plant are the result of excessive consumption, so the great secret of eating raw ginger without endangering health lies in a regulated intake.
In addition, it is important to note that avoiding the consumption of raw ginger on an empty stomach is essential to avoid stomach problems or irritations in the mouth.
What is the best way to consume ginger
Once you have informed yourself of the recommended dose of gingerthat you can eat according to your age and physical condition, you will need to know how to consume it. The most common way to take it, whether dry, fresh or powdered, is through infusions. So how is it better to take raw or boiled ginger? The truth is that the best way to take advantage of its properties is in its fresh and raw state, so you can eat a piece of ginger, but it is something that should be done sporadically, even many people cannot do it because raw it is very spicy and can irritate plus stomach. For this reason, formats such as a tea or an infusion of fresh ginger are still good options to take full advantage of its properties, but making it a little softer for the stomach. Here's how to make one:
Step by step ginger infusion
- Fill a pot with a liter of water.
- Light a fire and, when the water starts to boil, add the ginger.
- Let it boil for about 5 minutes and remove it from the heat.
- Wait for the hot water with the ginger to sit for another 4 minutes.
- Strain the liquid to remove the ginger pieces.
- Serve the ginger infusion to drink it.
- Sweeten the infusion with a little honey or use lemon or cinnamon, depending on the flavor you prefer to enhance.
Other ways to eat ginger
- Essential oils: you should not exceed 9 drops divided into 3 daily doses.
- Capsules: in general, you can take four a day (one every 8 hours), but always under the supervision of a medical specialist.
- Cooking: season meats and dress salads with ginger. In addition, it is a very common ingredient in recipes for Asian dishes.
Here you can learn more about How to take ginger . We also recommend you read about How to preserve ginger so that you can keep it in good condition for longer.
Is taking ginger every day bad?
As stated above, the main danger of ginger consumption is that it is uncontrolled. Taking it in disproportionate and excessive amounts has a series of health consequences. It is considered a medicinal plant, but if you eat it in large doses it becomes a harmful product.
You can take ginger every day and benefit from its properties. In no case is it bad, as long as you consume the right amount for your age and health status. Therefore, you should consult a doctor for how long you can take it and in what dose, since in some cases it cannot be taken daily or continuously.
Properties and benefits of ginger
We can highlight that, among other nutrients, raw ginger provides vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and sodium to the body. These are the main properties and benefits of ginger :
- Natural anticoagulant and vasodilator, helping to improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of some cardiovascular diseases.
- Contains omega-3, which helps lower cholesterol.
- It is a powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it helps relieve rheumatic, arthritic and joint pain.
- Antibacterial power, reducing digestion problems caused by bacteria such as some cases of diarrhea and gas. It also reduces the risk of ulcers.
- Thanks to the calming and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger, its consumption is recommended for women who have pain and cramps just before and during menstruation.
Read about the benefits of ginger in this other article.
Side effects and contraindications of ginger
Once it has been clarified that you can eat raw ginger and how to take it in the best possible way, at OneHOWTO we help you discover the side effects if it is consumed in excessive amounts or if it is taken even though in our case, for health reasons, it is contraindicated and also the contraindications of ginger:
Ginger side effects
- It impairs the quality of sleep if consumed shortly before going to sleep.
- Discomfort and heartburn.
- Diarrhea.
- Swelling.
- Urticaria.
- Respiratory problems.
- Sickness.
- Irritations in the throat and mouth.
Contraindications of ginger
- The infusion or ginger tea is harmful for people suffering from stomach problems, especially if they take it on an empty stomach, since it is a fairly strong product for the mucosa of this organ.
- Ginger infusions can be harmful for people with kidney disease.
- The consumption of ginger is not recommended for people with heart problems, diabetics, pregnant women and children under 12 years of age.
