Ginger is a condiment commonly used in our daily life, and it is also a food of the same origin as medicine and food, which has many health benefits. But, you know what? The skin of ginger also has a lot of nutritional value, and it also has some special effects.
So, why do some people say that "if you eat ginger without peeling, you will eat the wrong one for a lifetime"? Is this statement true? Should you peel ginger or not? Next, we will uncover the secrets of ginger peel for you, so that you can eat healthy and delicious.
Amid the growing focus on healthy eating and nature**, the immune-boosting effects of ginger, a traditional condiment and herb, have captured the interest of the scientific community.
1. Individual immunity
An article published in the German journal "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" revealed the positive effects of a small amount of irritating components in ginger on human immune function.
The study delved into the potential benefits of 6-gingerol, one of the main active ingredients in ginger, on the body's immune system.
The researchers focused on neutrophils, one of the main types of white blood cells, accounting for about two-thirds of the total number of white blood cells, which play a key role in the body's fight against bacterial invasion.
The results showed that even very small concentrations of 6-gingerol (15 micrograms per liter) were sufficient to activate these cells and put them on high alert, thereby enhancing the individual's immune function.
This discovery provides a scientific basis for the application of ginger in improving human immunity. Active ingredients such as 6-gingerol in ginger help the body fight pathogens more effectively by boosting the activity of white blood cells, which in turn enhances the overall function of the immune system.
2. Anti-inflammatory effect
Gingerol, one of the main active ingredients in ginger, has been scientifically proven to have significant anti-inflammatory effects. This natural compound is able to effectively inhibit the production of certain inflammatory substances in the body, thereby helping to reduce the inflammatory response.
This finding is particularly important for people with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and enteritis.
By modulating the inflammatory response, gingerol provides these patients with a natural way of relief that can help improve their quality of life.
In addition to gingerol, ginger is rich in a range of powerful antioxidants. In the human body, unstable molecules such as free radicals can damage cells, accelerate the aging process, and promote the development of many diseases.
The antioxidants in ginger are able to neutralize free radicals and reduce their damage to cells. This natural protective effect is essential for preventing oxidative stress, maintaining cellular integrity and function, helping to maintain the body's overall health and slow down the aging process.
Whether as a food seasoning or as part of an herb, ginger has a positive impact on our health.
Especially for those looking for a natural way to manage chronic inflammatory conditions, ginger can be an integral part of their diet.
3. Regulate metabolism in the body
A new study published in the International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design by researchers from Lanzhou University reveals the science behind ginger, specifically the effects of its two main active ingredients, 6-gingerol and 6-gingerol, on human health.
Through in-depth analysis, the research team found that the active ingredients in the two gingers are able to interact with a variety of proteins in the body, which in turn regulates multiple metabolic processes in the body.
Specifically, 6-gingerols and 6-gingerols have regulatory effects on key substances such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glycogen, glycerides, fatty acids, etc.
These substances play an important role in the body's energy metabolism and storage processes, and their regulatory mechanisms may be the scientific basis for ginger's "warming-up" effect.
The study further constructs the relevant response scenarios that occur in the stomach and small intestine, revealing how ginger exerts its health-promoting role by regulating these metabolic processes.
Especially in cold weather, ginger's "warm-up" effect not only provides an instant feeling of warmth, but more importantly, it helps maintain the body's energy balance and metabolic health by regulating metabolism in the body.
By incorporating ginger into the diet wisely, such as drinking ginger tea in winter or using ginger in cooking, people will not only be able to enjoy the delicious taste of ginger, but also reap the health benefits from it, especially in terms of improving the body's metabolism and boosting immunity.
It is important to note that while enjoying the health benefits of ginger, you should also pay attention to the moderate amount to avoid the discomfort that may be caused by excessive intake.
4. Improve intestinal health
In a high-profile study in recent years, researchers such as Yun Teng and Huang-Ge Zhang at the University of Louisville found that a special substance contained in ginger, the small RNA in exosome-like granules, has significant health benefits, especially in improving gut health.
This discovery provides a new perspective on how food affects human health at the micro level, and also expands our understanding of the traditional concept of dietary therapy.
Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by cells that can carry a variety of molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, and function through cell-to-cell communication.
In medical research, exosomes have received extensive attention because of their critical role in tumor development, immune regulation, and other processes.
For example, tumor cells can "communicate" with macrophages and stromal cells in the immune system through exosomes, and even affect the function of T cells, thereby promoting tumor growth and metastasis.
In this study, Zhang's group set its sights on the plant kingdom, especially ginger, a medicinal and edible plant that is widely used in traditional medicine.
Their research revealed that there are also plant exosomes (ELNs) in ginger nanoparticles similar to animal cell exosomes, which are resistant to breakdown by the digestive system and eventually reach the gut and function.
The experimental results showed that these small RNAs in exosome-like particles extracted from ginger not only strengthened the intestinal barrier function by affecting the intestinal microbiota, but also significantly reduced the symptoms of colitis in the experimental mouse model.
This study not only provides new ideas for intestinal diseases, but also provides strong support for the scientific basis of dietary therapy.
This "warm-up" effect of ginger, from a microscopic perspective, may be closely related to its ability to regulate intestinal flora and strengthen intestinal barrier function. By promoting the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, ginger contributes to gut health, which promotes overall health.
The results of this study highlight the profound impact of natural food ingredients on human health, especially in regulating gut health, preventing and ** intestinal inflammation.
In the future, with the deepening of scientific research, we have reason to believe that more plants and ingredients in traditional diet therapy will be found to contain health-promoting ingredients similar to ginger exosome particles, providing new research directions and methods for modern medicine and nutrition.
Ginger peel may have long been overlooked by many for its potential health benefits, however, the description of ginger peel in traditional medical works such as the Compendium of Medical Forests and the Chronicles of Jiangsu Botanical Medicine reveals its unique medical value.
It is mentioned in the Compendium of Medical Forestry that ginger peel is pungent and cold in nature, which is in stark contrast to the warm nature of ginger. This uniqueness makes ginger peel unique in medical applications.
Because of its pungent and cooling properties, ginger peel is used for edema and edema and removes wind heat. In addition, contrary to the sweating effect of ginger itself, ginger bark also has an antiperspirant effect, providing a natural regulatory mechanism for homeostasis.
Jiangsu Botanical Medicine Journal further expands the application scope of ginger peel and points out its value in external use, especially for abscess trauma and ringworm and other diseases.
These traditional applications not only reflect the potential of ginger peel as a natural medicinal material, but also emphasize the value of ginger peel in daily life.
In modern life, people tend to get used to peeling ginger when using it. However, based on these traditional wisdom and medicinal values of ginger peel, it is reasonable to revisit this habit.
When the body is edema, keep ginger peel for consumption, which can play its role in diluting water and reducing swelling. Similarly, keeping the ginger peel in daily cooking not only maintains the medicinal balance of ginger, but also helps to avoid discomfort such as fire, so as to maintain the flavor of the food while taking into account the health benefits.
In daily life, there is a certain discussion about the use of ginger, especially whether or not to peel it. It mainly depends on the individual's constitution and the specific purpose for which ginger is consumed.
1. People with spleen and stomach deficiency
For people with spleen and stomach deficiency, ginger peel is relatively cold in nature, which may cause spleen and stomach discomfort. Spleen and stomach deficiency refers to the weak function of the spleen and stomach, intolerance to cold, and easy to have symptoms such as indigestion and diarrhea.
In this case, it is more appropriate to eat peeled ginger, because after removing the cool ginger skin, the warming effect of ginger itself can be better exerted, which helps to warm the spleen and stomach and improve digestion.
2. Cold food
For people who often eat cold foods, such as bitter gourd, celery, and seafood, it is recommended to peel ginger when eating. In traditional Chinese medicine, cold food refers to those foods that are cold in nature and can easily lead to cold in the body.
The warmth of ginger neutralizes the coolness of these foods, while the coolness of ginger peel may cancel out the warmth of ginger, weakening the effect of neutralizing cold foods.
3. Wind chill and cold
For people suffering from wind chill and cold, it is also recommended to peel ginger when eating. Wind chill cold is an external disease caused by the invasion of cold evil, which is manifested as chills and fever, no sweating, headache and other symptoms.
Ginger has a good effect of repelling cold and relieving the surface, but the coolness of ginger skin may weaken this effect of ginger, so when the wind is cold and cold, peeling and eating ginger can better play its effect of dissipating cold in warmth.
In short, the way to consume ginger depends on the individual's constitution and specific situation. Understanding the properties of ginger peel and its effects on the human body can help us use ginger more scientifically and rationally to maximize its health benefits.
While pursuing a healthy diet, we should also pay attention to the selection and use of ingredients to meet our own health needs.