Don’t Use Ginger If You Have Any Of These 3 Conditions
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You will never dare to eat it in its raw form, yet you will never forget to include it in your food. Yes, ginger is that one herb that we, Indians, certainly cannot live without. We love to infuse our drinks, our household gravies, and at times even our breads and desserts with its subtle yet pungent flavor. We do it because we love the health benefits that come along with it. Ginger is like a Christmas tree which is decorated with health goodies from top to bottom. Did you know that ginger is a flowering plant? Yes, it has yellow-colored flowers, but we just consume the root of the plant, and it is that root that you see in every vegetable vendor’s kiosk. Earlier, this healthy herb was used only in parts of Asia like China, India, and Japan. But today, its wide range of health benefits have made it a part of cuisine in different parts of Africa and America as well (1).
It’s the presence of gingerol in ginger that gives it the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which boosts our immune system. It helps us fight extremely chronic diseases as well (2). But, beware, as much as ginger is advantageous for our health, there are certain risks of consuming it in larger quantities. Ginger also has the capability to aggravate certain existing health conditions and it can lead to further complications. People with certain medical conditions need to avoid having this beneficial herb. We’ve put down a few pointers that will give you a heads up about the kind of conditions that are affected negatively by consuming ginger. Let’s read them together.
3. If You Have Lower Body Weight
Ginger wears the glorious crown among food elements that aid in weight loss. Having ginger in its solid or liquid form can help suppress your appetite. Including ginger in your diet and pairing it with an exercise routine can help you lose those extra pounds in a jiffy. Consuming ginger will increase the pH levels of our stomach which stimulates the enzymes of our digestive system. This promotes weight loss.
However, people who are underweight (the ones with low body mass index (BMI)) strictly need to avoid having ginger in their food. If they eat ginger, it can worsen their condition. As consuming ginger will stabilize our cholesterol, blood sugar, and lipid levels. If a person with lower BMI eats ginger infused foods or drinks, his/her muscle mass will see a dip, even more, it can also lead to hair loss and menstrual irregularities, and even vitamin deficiencies (3). Therefore, if you’re underweight, you need to strictly stay away from ginger.
2. If You Have Blood Disorders
Hemophilia is one such blood disorder. It’s a condition where the body doesn’t have the ability to clot the blood. In the case of even a minuscule injury, the body will suffer severe blood loss. How is ginger related to it? Well, ginger is known to stimulate blood circulation in our bodies. It has a chemical named salicylate which thins out the blood and improves blood circulation (4). This could be amazing for someone with high blood pressure problems, at the same time it can be a disaster if you are someone suffering from a blood disorder.
And if you consume ginger in spite of having a blood disorder like hemophilia, it can lead to overstimulation of blood which can again lead to deadly hemorrhaging (5).
1. If You Are Taking Certain Types Of Medication
Okay! This is very important. Please pay attention. If you are someone who takes medication for conditions like blood pressure or diabetes then you should avoid ginger. Don’t worry, we’ll even tell you why. Consuming ginger when you’re on such medications can change the effects of these medicines on your body or rather, your body will not react the way it is supposed to do to such medicines. If you want us to be more specific here — if you are on beta-blockers, insulin drugs, or any anticoagulants then it’s better to avoid including ginger in your diet for the results of combining them can be deadly (6). Ginger, if consumed while on any aforementioned medication, can lower the clotting abilities in your body and even reduce your glucose levels.
Alternative For The Ginger Lovers
If you can’t live without having this delicious herb as a part of your meals, especially that hot cup of tea ginger tea (drool), then don’t worry we have an alternative for you. Nutritionists recommend swapping ginger with these — cayenne pepper, sweet peppers, and red paprika. These can be included in your foods and drinks to approximate the flavor of ginger.
Now you know when not to consume ginger, don’t you? Many aren’t aware of these facts; therefore, help educate your near and dear ones about it. And keeping all the serious stuff aside, which way do you like to consume ginger? (Considering that its safe for you) Let us know in the comments below.
