Ginger has achieved its popularity because of its many health benefits. Boosting immunity, aiding digestion, keeping a check on blood pressure are a few of its benefits. Ginger is, generally, healthy for most people with almost negligible side effects.
Although ginger is packed with nutrients there are a few health conditions that require you to limit or avoid consuming ginger, either temporarily or permanently. Consuming ginger may aggravate the health conditions which may be dangerous in future.
Ginger is not a suitable spice if you suffer from one or more of these health conditions mentioned below.
1. Being Underweight
Ginger may help in managing weight for those who are obese by reducing the feeling of hunger.1 For this reason, ginger may not be a suitable spice if you are underweight or undernourished. Ginger may act as an appetite suppressor and may lead to further weight loss. Losing more weight than required may lead to other health issues like poor muscle mass, too much hair fall, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, etc. To avoid further complications, limit or avoid ginger in your daily diet.
2. Having A Blood Disorder
Ginger can improve blood circulation. It can open up blood vessels and allow more blood to pass through. This is a benefit if you suffer from heart diseases or obesity. However, this health benefit can pose a threat to some if they have any blood-related issues.
For instance, hemophilia A is a rare disease that causes the individual to bleed for a longer duration than normal. This can occur either internally, into joints or muscles or externally, from cuts or wounds. In such cases, it is always recommended to avoid ginger as it may aggravate the blood flow causing serious health issues.
3. Being Pregnant
Pregnancy is not a health condition per se but it is advised to avoid ginger if you are pregnant. Ginger may not be harmful during the first few months of your pregnancy. In fact, it may help with nausea and vomiting that comes with early pregnancy.2 However, toward the final months, it is best to avoid the spice as it may interfere with mineral absorption such as iron and other necessary vitamins required by your body.
Also, since ginger is known to stimulate blood circulation, it may also increase the risk of bleeding. If you wish to continue having ginger either as a spice in your food or in the form of ginger supplements, make sure you talk to your doctor before doing so.
4. Taking Certain Medications
Those who take high blood pressure or diabetes medications should be careful when adding ginger to their diets. Ginger may have adverse effects on the body because of its blood thinning and blood pressure lowering properties. The effect of ginger may lower the effects of such medications. For instance, ginger along with your blood pressure medications may lower your pressure to unhealthy levels.
It may also not be suitable for those on anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and insulin drugs. Therefore, before adding ginger to your diet, speak to a health professional about your condition.
5. Having Gallstones
Gallstones are stones in the gallbladder that may cause pain in the abdomen and other side effects. Though there is not much evidence, it is best to avoid ginger if you suffer from gallstones. When ginger is eaten in large quantities, it may increase the production of bile. This may cause an increase in gallbladder contractions that may, in turn, cause the stones to move to the bile duct causing serious complications.
Therefore, if you suffer from gallstones or a gallbladder disease, communicate about the condition with your doctor and stick to the recommended intake of ginger.
Ginger is a healthy spice to add flavor to your favorite dishes. However, depending on your health condition, it is important to limit or avoid it as prescribed by your health professional.
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