Ginger root: what is it and what properties does it have?

Ginger is a root. What does it mean? It means that it is the part that grows underground of a green plant that instead grows above ground, serving as a reservoir of nutrients useful for growth.

Originating from the Far East, it appears as a fleshy and branched rhizome of a neutral color but has a lively and intense yellow color inside.

Ginger root has been used in cooking and traditional eastern medicine for millennia, but in recent years, it is gaining popularity in the West.

Ginger root is truly versatile because it can be used in cooking, but we also find it more often in the preparation of infusions and herbal teas with many beneficial properties. But what makes ginger root so special and sought after?

Certainly, it is its flavor, which is quite distinctive, pungent, and slightly spicy. Ginger is a product that divides people because they either love it or hate it. But now let’s discover more.
 

How to use ginger root?

Have you ever wondered how to use ginger root? It can be used in many ways: fresh, in powder, or candied. Grated ginger root can be used for desserts, stews, and marinades, sliced for herbal teas, drinks, or cocktails.

Ginger powder, on the other hand, can be used to prepare desserts, but also to flavor tea or white meat or fish preparations. Candied ginger is excellent as a garnish for ice creams and yogurts or as a snack.

If desired, ginger root can also be found in commerce as dried or in the form of essential oil, formats that are not relevant to us.
 

Ginger root: recipes

There are truly many recipes with ginger root that can be prepared and they don’t have to be inspired by eastern cuisine.

Ginger root is often used for preparing Christmas sweets, but also for making other desserts, such as cookies, plum cakes, or sweet focaccia. However, ginger root is also used to prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, or for a classic homemade herbal tea with ginger root.

In cooking, it pairs perfectly with fish as well as with white meat. Candied ginger is also used in the garnishing of yogurt and ice creams, but it can also be considered a quick, practical, and healthy snack to always take with you. In short, the recipes with ginger root are truly numerous and diverse, perfect for unleashing your imagination in the kitchen!
 

Ginger root properties?

The ginger root has digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is believed to calm nausea. It generally has numerous benefits on the digestive system, namely on the stomach and intestines: it is said to facilitate digestion, also combating the onset of intestinal problems due to toxin accumulation.

Traditional eastern medicine has always considered it a natural anti-inflammatory, while western medicine recognizes its ability to influence blood sugar levels, acting as a regulator of glycemia.

In addition, ginger root can be considered a “grandmother's remedy” to fight infections such as cough, sore throat, and colds, thanks to one of the substances it contains, gingerol. Among the alleged properties of ginger root, there is also the antioxidant one.

Ginger root benefits: there are many benefits that it brings to the body, which is why it would be better to include it in one’s diet as a dietary supplement.
 

Ginger root for weight loss: is it true?

Gingerol, the main component of ginger root, also possesses weight loss properties. So does ginger root aid in weight loss? The answer is yes, but indirectly. The consumption of this product should be accompanied by a balanced diet and the right amount of physical activity.

Gingerol, like the capsaicin found in chili peppers, raises body temperature, giving an immediate acceleration to the metabolism. It is this thermal fluctuation that facilitates weight loss, especially concerning the melting of abdominal fat.

Additionally, ginger root helps in weight loss because it reduces the feeling of hunger, contributes to the digestion of carbohydrates and proteins, and allows the elimination of intestinal gas.
 

Where to buy ginger root?

Ginger root can be purchased in almost all supermarkets or fruit and vegetable shops because it has become quite well-known and widespread. If you want the convenience of receiving it directly at your home, you can purchase it here on Spaghetti&Mandolino and don’t forget that our ginger root is also BIO. What are you waiting for?

Ilaria Chesini

S&M