Soak Ginger And Garlic In Cold Water Overnight, Drink It To Cure These Lifestyle Conditions
Garlic and ginger are both famous for their health benefits. Decades of scientific research have shown that these popular ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may offer some protection against disease. Combining them may also have health-promoting effects. You could do this by consuming them in dishes like stir-fries and soups or by taking them in supplement form.
One of the most well-known benefits of both ginger and garlic is their ability to decrease inflammation.
Although the body’s inflammatory response is essential for keeping you healthy, chronic inflammation is linked to the progression of many diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.
Garlic and ginger contain powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds that may help inhibit pro-inflammatory proteins associated with chronic inflammation.
Interestingly, different preparations of garlic contain different types of anti-inflammatory organosulfur compounds.
S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (alliin)
γ-glutamyl cysteine derivatives
Dried garlic powder contains the compounds:
alliin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
sulfide family compounds
dithiines
(E–Z)-ajoene compounds
Ginger is loaded with anti-inflammatory substances as well, including the phenolic compounds gingerols and shogaols.
A number of studies have demonstrated that ginger and garlic have anti-inflammatory effects.
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)
interleukin-6 (IL-6)
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
A 2020 review of 17 high quality studies found that taking garlic supplements led to significant reductions in CRP. It also found that another type of garlic supplement, called aged garlic extract, significantly reduced CRP and TNF-α.
A 2020 review of 109 high quality studies found that ginger may be particularly effective when people with arthritis use it to reduce inflammation and pain.
Little is known about the combined effects of ginger and garlic on inflammation in humans. However, based on the available research, it’s likely that using garlic and ginger together could help reduce markers of inflammation.
Oxidative stress occurs when there’s an overload of molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelm your body’s defenses.
The body’s antioxidant defense system includes antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These help keep the level of ROS in balance. However, when this system is overwhelmed, oxidative stress occurs, which leads to cellular damage.
Studies show that garlic and ginger may help reduce markers of oxidative stress, including the highly reactive and damaging compound malondialdehyde.
A 2015 study gave people with type 2 diabetes 2 grams of ginger powder per day for 12 weeks. At the end of this treatment, they had significantly reduced blood levels of malondialdehyde compared with a control group.
A 2016 study showed that taking ginger supplements reduced levels of malondialdehyde as well as the inflammatory marker TNF-α in people with tuberculosis.
A 2008 study in 13 older people found that taking garlic supplements daily for 1 month decreased levels of malondialdehyde and boosted levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
What’s more, a 2020 study in rats with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated that combined treatment with garlic, ginger, and chili pepper extract significantly increased levels of the defense enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase
It also significantly decreased levels of the damaging compound malondialdehyde.
Regularly consuming garlic and ginger or taking garlic and ginger supplements may help protect your brain and improve cognition.
Some population studies have suggested that consuming garlic may be particularly helpful for protecting against cognitive impairment in certain populations.
A 2019 population study that included 27,437 older Chinese people found that those who consumed garlic more frequently were less likely to experience cognitive impairment. They also lived longer than those who rarely consumed garlic.
Scientists need to do more studies on this phenomenon, including research in other groups of people.
Studies have shown that taking garlic powder may improve memory and attention in healthy adults .
Research suggests the organosulfur compounds in garlic may help protect against nerve cell inflammation and degeneration .
Research has also linked ginger to cognitive benefits. In a 2011 study, taking 400 or 800 mg of ginger extract per day for 2 months helped improve cognitive performance and memory in healthy women, compared with a placebo.
Additionally, animal studies suggest that taking ginger may help decrease brain damage, protect against neurodegenerative disease, and increase levels of antioxidant enzymes in the brain.