GINGER: Why You May Want To Avoid Consuming Ginger.

 

   Ginger is generally considered safe for consumption and offers several potential health benefits. Aside from the taste, the health benefits of ginger include improving digestion, boosting immunity, and fighting inflammation. But before you start adding it to your morning smoothie, there are a few situations where incorporating the root into your wellness routine isn't advised, which is why it's important to know when not to take ginger. However, there are a few reasons why some individuals may choose to avoid eating ginger in certain circumstances:

Why you may want more Ginger in your daily diet.

  Ginger comes in many forms, but the ginger plant’s roots are what is commonly used as both a spice or ingredient in cooking and for medicinal purposes as a supplement. “Ginger is excellent for promoting health longevity because it contains compounds known as gingerols and shogaols, which create an antioxidant effect that reduces free radical damage in the body. The root is known to “support digestive health by improving gastric motility and by helping to relieve bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort by reducing gas production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help support heart health and relieve symptoms of arthritis,” says Taub-Dix, adding that the root can help quell nausea and stabilize blood sugar levels.

When can the intake of Ginger becomes detrimental to your health:

° Medication interactions: The most noteworthy concern is for those with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, where the blood doesn’t clot properly, Ginger has mild anticoagulant, or blood-thinning, properties, which means it may increase the risk of bleeding. Ginger can interact with certain medications, particularly blood thinners like warfarin. It may enhance the effects of these medications and increase the risk of bleeding. If you are taking any medications, especially blood thinners, consult with your healthcare provider before consuming ginger or taking ginger supplements.

° Allergies While rare, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to ginger. If you have a known allergy to ginger or other members of the Zingiberaceae family, such as turmeric or cardamom, it is best to avoid consuming ginger.

° Pregnancy: Ginger has traditionally been used to alleviate symptoms of morning sickness during pregnancy. However, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before consuming ginger in pregnancy, especially in higher doses or as a supplement, as individual circumstances can vary. Studies also indicate that while ginger is effective at quelling nausea in pregnant women, you will want to limit the amount of ginger you eat while pregnant as the anticoagulant effects can put the mother at greater risk for miscarriage. It’s best to consult a doctor about your options, ginger included, if you are experiencing morning sickness while expecting your baby.

° Digestive issues: Although ginger is often used to aid digestion, some individuals with pre-existing digestive conditions may find that ginger exacerbates their symptoms. This includes individuals with conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In such cases, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if ginger is suitable for you, as ginger can cause heartburn and worsen gastric reflux.

° Surgery Ginger has a mild blood-thinning effect, so it is generally advised to avoid consuming ginger or taking ginger supplements before surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during or after the procedure. Inform your healthcare provider about any ginger consumption if you have an upcoming surgery.

  What’s more, “ginger may lower blood sugar levels, so individuals with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely if consuming large amountsor taking ginger supplements. While it’s recommended to consult your doctor before starting any supplement regimen whether you have potential contraindications or not those currently taking diabetes medication, such as insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs, who are also taking ginger, should talk to their provider about whether the dosage of their diabetes medicine should be adjusted.

  Also, People with high blood pressure should also be aware...but not for the reason you may think.

If you've been wondering: Does ginger raise blood pressure? You're not alone—it's a frequently asked questions in terms of when not to take ginger. But the answer is now. In fact, some studies, such as 2019 research published in Phytotherapy Research, have indicated that ginger may lower blood pressure, which in itself is not a concern. However, “if you are taking medications to control high blood pressure, combining them with ginger could further decrease blood pressure levels, potentially causing excessive lowering of blood pressure, though more research is needed.

How much of Ginger consumption becomes too much.

  Most people can safely eat ginger daily without overdoing it, but those at risk for excessive bleeding will want to cap their intake to no more than four grams a day. Those with acid reflux concerns should divide these doses as to reduce the gastric side effects of ginger. Again anyone with diabetes, bleeding disorders, are on blood thinners should exercise caution and speak with their doctor before adding ginger to their diet. Meanwhile, pregnant women should limit their ginger to no more than one gram a day.