The New Year has arrived, and products for colds and flu are soaring in demand, all while there are small changes you can make to help combat this.
Incorporating more ginger into your diet has been proven to help with cold and flu. It’s an ingredient that is packed with nutrition and boasts a large number of health benefits.
Head of Culinary at HelloFresh Ireland, Hannah Duxberry says, “In most Eastern cultures, ginger is a staple food with thousands of years of history for its medicinal properties. It’s an incredibly nutrient dense food and is arguably the healthiest spice on the planet.”
Hannah Duxberry has outlined some of the health benefits of ginger, reasons to incorporate more into your diet, as well as recipes to inspire your next ginger kick.
Fights flu
One of ginger’s most prominent benefits is its ability to ease cold and flu symptoms.
Hannah notes, “Gingerol is a natural oil found in ginger – it is linked to most of ginger’s medicinal benefits. One of those is aiding with anti-inflammatory which can help relieve discomfort caused by flu or a sore throat.
“Aside from relieving flu symptoms, research suggests that consuming ginger regularly can help prevent a cold or flu as it is packed with antioxidants that may help boost your immune system.”
Gas & digestion relief
The compound gingerol can also help with gut wellness:
“Ginger can support gastrointestinal motility, which in layman’s terms means food passing through your digestive system. This can help reduce bloating as it speeds up the rate food exits the stomach through aiding the breakdown and assimilation process which helps relieve gases that form in the intestinal tract. Overall, this may improve digestion and can help reduce discomfort that may be present while bloated.”
Energy increase
Do you need a New Year boost this January?
“Caffeine has become a staple in the modern diet for its ability to help energise us and keep us awake, but there can often be many downsides such as heightened feeling of anxiety, increased heart rate and negative effects to blood pressure, especially when overconsumed.”
“Ginger is a great alternative to coffee or energy drinks as incorporating ginger into your diet may have many cognitive benefits, including increased concentration and focus, making you feel more alert and energised.”
“There are also studies that suggest that ginger can increase serotonin and dopamine levels, as well as being able to help with sleeping disorders, such as insomnia. It’s completely caffeine free too and can be added to teas and other hot drinks – it’s a complete win-win.”
Ginger recipes to inspire
There are many ways to enjoy ginger, from making ginger water or tea, to adding it to salads, stir-fries, soups or desserts. There are plenty of options to ensure that ginger becomes a staple in your diet.
HelloFresh have provided some ginger recipes to help inspire your next meal:
With broccoli and peanuts
Garlic and Ginger Beef Noodles
With green beans and bell peppers