Tuesday, 15th of September 2009 at 08:22:46 AMThere are many ways a person may be able to lose weight, and not all methods involve strict dieting and vigorous exercising. While it certainly is important to lead an active lifestyle and have a well balanced diet, you will also discover that there are certain natural herbs and spices you can ingest that might actually help you burn fat, such as ginger.
Ginger is a powerful digestive aid that can improve your body's metabolism.
Ginger has been recognized for centuries for its medicinal properties and it is commonly known that this particular herb has a positive impact on the digestive tract. Ginger helps to calm the gut and protect the gastric system by reducing stomach acidity through the increase of the pH of stomach acid. As a result, it reduces the rate of gastric secretions and boosts digestive enzyme activity. Thus, ginger has a direct effect on the stomach and liver to decrease nausea and vomiting.
Although it is a well recognized digestive aid, many people are unaware of the fact that eating ginger promotes weight loss in some people. How? The following are some of the ways in which ginger root can assist you in burning fat:
- Ginger helps to lower cholesterol levels – Research has found that ginger has the ability to aid in the lowering of cholesterol, especially serum and hepatic cholesterol levels. Ginger seems to not only hinder the absorption of cholesterol, but also stimulates cholesterol conversion to bile acids. Furthermore, this herb has revealed that it can increase bile excretion. Overall, lowering your cholesterol can help you lose weight.
- Ginger increases metabolism – Ginger contains an acidic substance that stimulates gastric enzymes, which can aid metabolism. The better your metabolism, the more calories you will burn.
- Ginger improves gastric mobility – When the digestive system is functioning at its best, food is freely moving through the body, which reduces bloating and constipation. In fact, studies have found that ginger regulates peristalsis, the rippling movement of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract that is needed to push food and waste through the digestive system. Since it actually helps regulate peristalsis, it also helps to tone and strengthen the muscles involved in digestion.
Ginger can be added to your diet in many ways. You can add fresh or dried ginger to recipes, drink ginger tea and, of course, take supplements. Two of my favorite ginger foods are pickled ginger and candied ginger.
Although ginger will help to improve digestion and metabolism, it should not be used as a primary method to lose weight. One way that ginger has helped me while dieting is that when I become hungry I’ll sometimes suck on a piece of ginger. The powerful flavor of the ginger takes my mind off of food and soothes my stomach. If you are also someone who likes the flavor of ginger, which can be an acquired taste, then try eating some before meals or between meals when you are hungry to reap any weight loss benefits it may offer.
It’s interesting to note that eating ginger is actually used in herbal medicine to increase appetite. Although I don’t experience this myself, some people may.
Other Related Posts and Articles You May Find Interesting: “Ginseng for Weight Loss and Health“, “Spicing Up Weight Loss” and “Flu Fighting Diet Foods“.
great ideas to integrate ginger into your diet. good article.
I was drinking ginger tea to ease my headaches. It’s great to know now that it also supports weight loss.
I love the taste of ginger, and have been buying Gin-Gins (a lozenge) at a whole foods co-op. They are a strong flavor nad i think they help in getting my mind off eating. I try to keep a handful in my purse to suck on while at work instead of eating on my breaks. I recently tried ginger tea and also really enjoy that. I do drink it with justa touc of honey. i’m glad it may also aid in weight oss!
Very true every morning i suck the small root in the morning and it works like magic ‘ve lost 4kg already, good digestion and boost the immune system.
Is it true that u lost 4kg with ginger
i love ginger i do use it alot but had no idea it could help in weight loss i was just surfing the web lol and came across this wow thanks so much for sharing
i also tell everyone when they get sick to get some ginger and peel and grade it and let it steep in their tea with a touch of honey and tell them to chew it and let em know that it may burn a bit but that is how ya know it is working and have em wash it down with tea and you will see a difference
Ginger is magic 😀
i used to ginger piece soaked in the lemon juice. it really helped me in relieving my constipation problem.ginger works boss.
i find out ginger is very effective for type 2 diabets,fasting sugar is showing decrease
first time using hope it helps boost my metabolism.. also brought milk thistle for my liver.. We will see..
I have been eating ginger and drinking oolong tea daily for about 1 and 1/2 weeks. I have made no other changes to my diet and have lost 8 pounds and feel great…I came upon the ginger by accident-I made a lovely kale and ginger soup when I was sick and felt fantastic about an hour later…been chopping fresh ginger in my oolong tea and putting it in blueberry-banana soymilk smoothies too…I can’t believe no one told me about this before!!!
I was drooling after reading your comment. Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow there is nothing like Ginger,,,, its an amazing thing to drink every morning….. i take a cup of ginger i add some honey,,,,,, its magic…..
also if you bring ginger oil + cinnamon oil and u massage the areas u have fat u will c that by time u started to loose cellulite
……
magic from nature…… amazing amazing
I have severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). I also have OA of the spine with bone spurs and apparently nerve damage. Well last week I decided to get some Ginger Ale instead of sprite to calm down my stomach. I noticed that my arthritis (OA/RA) was not as active as normal (12+ with swelling and pain), then I noticed for the first time in 4 years I could see all of the small bones in my hands and my hands were not hurting. By the 3rd day of drinking 3 ginger ales I said what has happened I had only had one pain pill in three days, and was just a little soar. I researched it on the internet and it must be the ginger, it is noted as an herb for Rheumatism, and OA. Thank GOD, I have been able to do things these last 2 days I haven’t felt like doing in years. Anyone with RA/OA or swelling of joints or water retention should at least try some Ginger Ale, or some type of ginger (pills, ground, tea, etc.). I just had to share as I know there are other people out there suffering as I was from Rheumatoid/osteoarthritis arthritis.
Dear dh,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalsia but I actually think I have RA. I never wanted to go on Fibro meds as they make you gain weight and I had a bad experience after being pretty thin most of my life I went on depression meds and gained 30 pounds never again. So, this all means you suffer more. I found your post as I recently went on enzymes and then saw the stuff on ginger as well.
It is nice to know one is not alone out there. I am only 49 yrs old and try my best to exercise and keep smiling :).
Thanks again for sharing!
Lisa Gwillim
really i tried it 4 ome weekz and really i got a fantastic resulz coz it burnz fats and it refreshz ur mood and really it makez u so active …really itz a magical syrup .
I wash ginger and cut it in to small pieces and put the cut gingers in magic bullets with 1/2 or 1 cup water depends on the amount of ginger, and turn the magic bullet on for 1 minutes or till I get the milky colored liquid, this is what I called my drink specially after heavy foods.I drink a 1/4 of cup each time and I keep the left over in the refrigerator.
It helps fast digestions and remove the swelling and keep my appetite in control.
This actually helps me to eat less, with the help of yoga and Pilates and ginger I was able to lose the weight that I was trying to lose in past 10 years.
i have severe bloating and it affEcts my moods .the other day went to supermarket and noticed rosemary and ginger reduced so i bought both.Amazingly next day i noticed my bloating down.I also notice cleansing naturally .I did some research and found this site.Hopefully all will improve.
My Age is 48, I was trying to loose Fat at abdominal Area, by performing regular cardio excercises and diet. However, with no significant results. One Day read about Gingers health effects, but no imformation about weight loose. I started to eat fresh Ginger roots pieces 3 times per day and drunk everytime 1 glass of green tea. After 1-2 weeks times, I suddenly noticed dramatic weight loose on the weast… It is incredible. After 2 Months time lost about 9 Kg!!
I’m not understanding. How much of the ginger root is everyone taking? It is very hot to me, so I don’t know if I could take a lot of it.
Pls does ginger have any side effects? I really need to know.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Side effects from ginger are rare, but if taken in high doses the herb may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth”. You should not take ginger if you are pregnant, have gallstones, are taking blood thinners, have a heart condition or diabetes unless discussing it with your doctor first. Ginger may also interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, diabetes medications and blood pressure medications.
I steep 1/2 a teaspoon of dried ginger power ( spice kind ) in hot water, works a treat.
Blessings from ALASKA!! 9th April 2015… I’ve been drinking the Lemon Detox Diet drink for six days now and have LOST 6 POUNDS!! Yippy! I actually LOVE this drink and I have never even ate ginger before because I did not like the smell of it!! That has changed dramatically!! I will continue 6~8 glasses of this until I lose the additional 36 lbs. that I need to!!! I had read where Beyonce had lost 20 pounds in 15 days and I totally believe this now!! Try it..it really WORKS!
P.S. Also you are NOT suppose to have any SOLID foods while on this “diet”…
But I just read somewhere else that you should NOT do this if you have high blood pressure or are on blood thinners which I “AM” on both of these…Hmmmmmm. I’m still gonna stick with this tho…