Study: Ginger is a Fat Fighter

Ginger ale is probably not great when it comes to soothing a sore stomach (sorry, Mom), but ginger may be great for battling obesity according to a new meta-study.

The researchers for this study examined 60 studies that measured the effects of ginger on animals, cells and humans. And when all put together it was pretty good news for those of us who like the spicy root.

But it’s not just obesity, according to this article:

The paper describes how the spice plays a role in fat burning, carbohydrate digestion and insulin secretion, to name a few. Ginger has also been shown to inhibit oxidative stress (a form of cellular aging), to have anti-inflammatory properties and to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may even reduce atherosclerosis, the buildup of dangerous fat in the arteries.

There is one major caveat — very few of these studies are on humans; but we do know this seems to at least do wonders in the few human studies they reviewed. The impact of consuming ginger was very positive for mice. So while this may not be a miracle spice, as the article also notes: if you have to flavor your food, ginger may be a healthier alternative than adding an extra dash of salt.

-Shane M.