Women's Health July 14, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Ancient Power of Ginger: 10 Game-Changing Health Benefits That Even Doctors Can’t Ignore!

Ever wondered if that spicy little root lurking in your green juice is secretly a superhero in disguise? Ginger’s been quietly rocking the traditional medicine scene for centuries—think ancient Chinese remedies and Ayurvedic magic—but here’s the kicker: its powers go way beyond just fixing your sniffles. I’ve chatted with top-notch registered dietitians, and trust me, this unassuming rhizome isn’t just about flavor — it’s a versatile powerhouse that can soothe your digestion, kick inflammation to the curb, and even give your skin that much-coveted youthful glow. Whether you’re tossing it in your smoothie, grating it onto dinner, or sipping a calming cup of ginger tea, you’re tapping into a whole arsenal of health benefits that are as legit as they come. Curious to know just how many ways ginger can upgrade your well-being? Dive in and discover 10 compelling reasons your body will thank you for adding a little zing to your life. LEARN MORE

3 min read

GINGER IS A starring ingredient in many green juices—and for good reason. While the rhizome (a horizontal underground stem) has long been touted as a sick-day panacea in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, ginger’s overall health benefits are wide-ranging.

Our editors spoke to several registered dietitians about the health and beauty benefits of ginger. From aiding digestion to reducing inflammation, the ingredient is super versatile. Plus, it’s easy to cook and bake with. You can throw it into your smoothie, grate some over a stir-fry, add it to soup, or sip ginger tea.

Read on to discover 10 different health benefits of eating ginger.

1. It can reduce pain.

Karen Ansel, R.D.N., and author of Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger Live Longer, says ginger contains substances known as gingerols that quash inflammation and turn off pain-causing compounds in the body. But if you’re dealing with any kind of chronic pain, talk to your doctor about a long-term treatment plan, since it might be something a plant can’t fix.

2. It can heal irritated skin.

If strong winter winds are doing a number on your skin, start healing from the inside out with ginger. According to Ansel, ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe red, irritated skin.

3. It may help protect against cancer.

While no single ingredient can ward off serious disease, ginger does pack a pretty mean punch. Ginger is rich in antioxidants that help protect the body against cancer, Ansel says.

4. It can help you look younger.

You probably see the buzzword “antioxidant” splayed across your favorite expensive face creams—but that’s actually for good reason. There’s promising research suggesting that the breakdown of collagen can damage the skin. According to Ansel, ginger’s antioxidant content can help maintain your skin’s collagen production, which promotes skin elasticity and smoothness.

5. It can help you digest more quickly after a meal.

Food babies are pretty uncomfortable, but thanks to ginger, they don’t have to last forever. A cup of ginger tea could help your stomach empty faster so food doesn’t just sit there after an indulgent meal, according to Christy Brissette, R.D., and president of 80 Twenty Nutrition. What’s more, it helps calm your stomach and stave off bloating and gas.

6. It can reduce nausea.

Why yes, you are pretty much nurse Florence Nightingale if you offer your hungover friend a can of ginger ale the morning after a fun night out. In general, ginger is a research-backed remedy for nausea, whether you’re dealing with a hangover, enduring a bumpy road trip, recovering from chemotherapy, or cursing pregnancy’s morning-sickness symptoms.

7. It can reduce bad cholesterol.

Brissette says ginger can help lower LDL cholesterol levels (the bad kind!), reducing your risk of heart disease. A small study affirmed these findings, demonstrating that control groups who consumed three grams of ginger (that’s about half a teaspoon) three times a day experienced a significantly higher reduction in triglycerides and cholesterol than the placebo group.

8. It can ward off cardiovascular disease.

Ginger’s blood-thinning properties could help prevent the formation of blood clots, reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Brissette warns that if you already take blood-thinning medications, check with your doctor before including more ginger in your diet.

9. It can help boost immunity.

Why do people live on ginger lozenges when they’re sick? Those same gingerols that fight inflammation also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties to help fight infections and boost your immunity. Steal Brissette’s speedy-recovery go-to:

Hot water
Two tablespoons of fresh grated ginger
Juice of one lemon
Half a tablespoon of honey.

Or, toss a teaspoon into chicken soup for some added cold-fighting benefits.

10. It can ease period cramps.

If you find yourself clutching your abdomen in pain every month, you might want to try an ibuprofen alternative, according to Jessica Perez, R.D. “I firmly believe ginger is one of the best natural forms of medicine,” she says. “It helps with so many inflammatory processes.”

Marissa Miller has spent a decade editing and reporting on women’s health issues from an intersectional lens with a focus on peer-reviewed nutrition, fitness trends, mental health, skincare, reproductive rights and beyond, and currently holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell. She is an avid yoga practitioner, half-marathon runner, snowboarder, and former dance coach and choreographer. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC News, GQ, Vogue, CNN Style, and more. Marissa lives in Montreal with her two cats. She is represented by Howland Literary and her debut novel PRETTY WEIRD will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021.