Found in members of the Zingiberaceae family, gingerol is a phenolic compound that activates heat receptors on the tongue. When ginger is cooked, gingerol changes to zingerone, which has less pungency; however, when dried it forms shogaols, which are more pungent.
Among its possible health benefits:
· Anti-nausea
· Prokinetic
· Digestion
· Blood Sugar Balance
· Pain Relieving
· Heart Health
· Anti-Cancer
· Antioxidant
· Anti-inflammatory
· Immunity
Excitingly, gingerol has recently shown promise as a natural defense against autoimmune disease. In preclinical work, 6-gingerol, which is the most abundant phytochemical in the ginger rhizomes was shown to reverse impacts of neutrophil hyperactivity. Follow-up clinical investigation on humans found that ginger extracts, as well as whole herb consumption, could do the same in short periods of time and increase resistance to developing neutrophil (NETosis) autoimmune conditions, such as lupus.
Ginger extracts have also been employed in Functional Medicine protocols for their prokinetic benefits, especially in the management of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). As SIBO is a known contributor to the development of intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), which is related to development of autoimmune conditions, the role of Ginger continues to be clarified.
Ginger has a history of safe consumption, and also has been long-used for improving digestion in traditional medicine. With these new developments in science its clinical use is poised to expand.
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*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.