Fresh vs dried ginger: Which offers more health benefits?
Dried ginger is produced by drying fresh ginger root, then grinding it into a fine powder. This process removes most of the water within, concentrating its taste and medicinal properties.
3:34 PM EST, January 2, 2024
Benefits of dried ginger include:
- Improved digestion (it eases indigestion, reduces bloating, and alleviates gastrointestinal discomfort),
- Anti-inflammatory properties,
- Support for the respiratory system (it may help alleviate breathing problems, coughs, common colds, and sore throats).
Many of us used to swallow it as kids for its positive effects on immunity.
The benefits of fresh ginger
Fresh ginger, in its raw and natural state, is highly valued for both its culinary and medicinal properties. It has a spicy, sharp, and slightly sweet taste. Fresh ginger offers several benefits, such as:
- Alleviating nausea (it is often used to soothe motion sickness, morning sickness during pregnancy, and disease-induced nausea),
- Providing antioxidant properties (it helps combat oxidative stress and potentially reduces the risk of chronic diseases),
- Aiding in digestion (it stimulates the production of saliva and bile, which helps break down food and prevent gastrointestinal discomfort),
- Strengthening the immune system.
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Dried versus fresh ginger: Which is better?
The common belief that fresh ginger is superior to dried ginger is not necessarily accurate. The choice between fresh and dried ginger should be based on the intended use and expected health benefits.
Interesting to note, the process of drying fresh ginger boosts its antioxidant contents by reducing the water content. This doesn’t imply that fresh ginger is devoid of antioxidants; rather, their level is less compared to dried ginger.
A 2013 study published in PubMed Central, covering the effects of fresh and dried ginger on respiratory system viruses, illustrated that fresh ginger significantly aids in protecting the respiratory system. Meanwhile, dried ginger does not yield such drastic results.
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Looking at these examples, it's evident that both forms of ginger have their unique benefits, making each suitable for various health purposes.
