Being overweight or obese is very detrimental to your health. There are many health risks related to this condition and thus must be avoided at all costs. In some Western countries, the number of people who are obese or overweight is alarmingly high.
It is high time that we take note of this health emergency. The visceral fat that surrounds your internal body organs is very harmful. By carrying too much of this type of fat, you put yourself at a very high risk of heart attacks or strokes. Proper exercise and diet are necessary to put check on your weight. This can help you to lead a healthy life.
How Does Ginger Benefit For Weight Loss?
There are many diet plans that can help you to control your weight. Studies have shown that adding some herbs to your diet can help you in weight loss. Some research has found that ginger is especially helpful in weight loss. Ginger is generally safe to use, and you can include it in your drinks and recipes or take it as a supplement. Ginger is a flowering plant that belongs to Southeast Asia. It has been used as a culinary spice and a herbal remedy. Its root can be used as raw or as a dried powder.
Compounds in ginger have medicinal properties. It is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These benefit our bodies in numerous ways. A 2017 study has confirmed that compounds called zingerone and shogaols in ginger help with weight loss. These compounds are known to help complex metabolic processes that burn and store fat. A 2015 study had those with obesity take two one-gram tablets of powdered ginger per day for 12 weeks. This group was found to have decreased appetite and body size compared with those who took a placebo. The weight loss effect was more visible in people who had a particular set of genes. This might be a clue that ginger may work for weight loss in some individuals more than in others. This area requires much more research.
A related study was conducted on women with obesity. It found that taking ginger had a small beneficial effect. The effect included decreasing body mass index (BMI) and increasing markers of blood sugar control. Another small study was conducted on 10 men. They were made to take two grams of ginger powder in hot water at breakfast. The participants experienced reduced feelings of hunger and enhanced thermogenesis, which is the heat produced while calories are burned. All these studies establish the role of compounds in ginger in weight loss.
Ginger have great amount of fat burning compounds such as shagaols and zingerone, depending on the way ginger is prepared. When ginger is dried, the compound gingerol become shogaols. Zingerones are found in higher quantity in cooked ginger. Shogaols have slightly more potent anti-inflammatory effects than zingerones. But if you are looking for weight loss, then eating fresh, raw ginger is considered as effective as taking dried ginger.
Ginger vitamins also have antioxidative effects, particularly vitamin C (ascorbic acid). But it is to be noted that vitamin C is a very volatile compound. It can be lost on heating, prolonged storage and exposure to light. So take note that, in order to get both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of ginger, it is best to consume in raw form. Ginger can also help in reducing bloating, fixing constipation and enhancing digestion. Gingerol found in ginger helps in repairing damaged cells and is also known to prevent various cancers. It is important to know the correct dosage when adding ginger to your diet. It is recommended to take more than four grams of ginger daily in any forms available. However, it is recommended to consult your doctor for the correct dosage that suits you.
