4 Reasons Why Kids Should Eat Ginger
Home remedies have been used as an alternative form of treatment for many ailments for generations. However, keep in mind, even though most natural alternatives are safe for your child to consume, some are too potent for them to be considered safe. This is why it’s so important only to use those that are regularly tested and have been proved effective due to scientific studies.
For example, ginger is one of the most common home remedies that can be used to treat a number of health conditions. In fact, it has been approved by the FDA to be safe for the general public as a food additive. In this guide, we will take you through four of the most common reasons that your kid should eat ginger regularly.
1. High in Nutrients
Ginger is full of nutrients that deem it safe and healthy to be consumed by your child. Recorded in 2017, the Indian Food Composition Tables say that fresh ginger contains 0.9 percent fat, nine percent carbohydrates, 1.2 percent minerals, 2.2 percent protein, and 81.3 percent moisture. Ginger also contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium. Additionally, ginger contains vitamins, such as niacin, folic acid, vitamin A and C, and thiamine. Recent scientific studies have also found a number of health benefits that result in regularly consuming ginger as well.
2. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects
Another reason why you should have your kid regularly eat ginger is due to its respiratory and cardiovascular effects. Since ginger is such a strong circulatory stimulant, it can improve your kid’s blood flow and heart muscles. This improved blood circulation can help increase cellular metabolic activity and prevent respiratory infections.
If you notice your kid getting sick, you should make a warm cup of ginger tea to help clear their congestion and stimulate their liver to get rid of nasty toxins in their bloodstream. It’s one of the most common ailments in children for coughing, due to its antiseptic properties. In fact, according to a study done at Columbia University in 2013, ginger can improve breathing patterns. It can also be helpful for kids who suffer from asthma. The same study found that they also experienced improved breathing patterns, too.
3. Gastrointestinal Effects
Ginger is beneficial to your child’s gastrointestinal health. Fresh ginger can help promote gastric juices and saliva, which can boost both your child’s digestion and appetite. Plus, the ingredients active in ginger increase the absorption and digestion of food as well. Ginger can be used as a natural remedy to relieve flatulence and constipation. Ginger is commonly used to prevent vomiting and nausea thanks to its anti-emetic agents. It can be used to relieve nausea caused by all sorts of illnesses including travel-related sickness. In fact, even the World Health Organization says that ginger is effective in treating nausea.
The reason ginger is so effective is due to its two ingredients, shogaol and gingerol, which help reduce stomach movement and promote a calming effect in people. In fact, two studies showed that ginger was incredibly effective in treating both vomiting and nausea when taken in capsule form. If your child has an eating disorder, having them take ginger regularly can improve their condition that many over-the-counter medications.
4. Antimicrobial Effects
Ginger has both antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help improve your child’s overall health. According to recent vitro studies, active constituents in ginger can prevent the multiplications of certain harmful bacteria, such as E-Coli, Streptococci, and Salmonella. This can be especially helpful for your child if he gets sick or has a fever.
Most kids are messy. They spend all day playing with toys and interacting with other kids. And, let’s face it, they aren’t as hygienic as they probably should be. When they are putting things that don’t belong in their mouths like their hands or toys, they are opening themselves up to increased bacteria population and all sorts of diseases. However, by eating ginger regularly, they can limit their risk of developing harmful diseases.
You should never shy away from allowing your kid to eat ginger. Although there are natural remedies that can pose a danger to their health, ginger is not one of them. When taken in regular doses, ginger can treat a variety of ailments and improve your child’s health. Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you can find new ways to implement ginger into your child’s foods, whether they have the flu or to improve their heart health.
Author Bio
Mike Jones is a firm believer that nature has its own way to heal different health conditions. He tries to use mainly home remedies for common disorders. Mike is very active on Twitter, @mike_jones35.
Here is a fun recipe for making candied ginger, and here’s a collection of recipes using ginger.
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Debbie says
Hi Julie, I hadn’t realised just how good for us ginger is. One of my go-to cold remedies is honey, lemon with freshly grated ginger, but the ginger was more for taste, now I know it’s beneficial too. With a house full of asthmatics it’s good to know it aids the respiratory system too!
xx
Julie says
That’s a great cold remedy!
Ani Kay says
I love ginger, but I know it’s a tough taste for some people. What do you think is the best way to give it to your kids? I know mine would freak out if I gave them something too ‘gingery’.
Julie says
I’m not a fan of the taste either. I guess it would have to be mixed into a food so you can’t really pick it out.