12 Ways to Soothe, Relieve, and Rejuvenate with Ginger Chews

Health benefits of ginger chews

How great would it be if a tasty and sweet treat could also improve your health? Let’s explore how ginger chews potentially offer numerous health benefits, especially for your skin. 

Hi, I’m Hazel

I gave up on skincare after years of issues with acne and sensitive skin.

But after going plant-based, my skin cleared up and even started to glow. Now I help women reveal their natural beauty with simple, delicious plant-based food.

I also used to be a nurse, and love nerding out on nutritional science (high-quality science, that is).

As usual, this post is based on the strongest nutritional evidence I could find with a focus on the simplest, most delicious foods

…because who has time to waste on actions that don’t work?

The quick version:
Ginger chews offer numerous health benefits, including improved digestive health, relief from nausea and morning sickness, enhanced weight management, and natural pain relief. They also support skin health through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them a versatile, natural option for overall wellness.

What Are Ginger Chews?

Ginger chews are a popular type of confection made primarily from real ginger and cane sugar, perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. The base ingredient, zingiber officinale, is the Latin name for the common spice we know as ginger, derived from the slice of ginger root. 

These treats combine the spicy, robust flavour of fresh ginger with the sweetness of sugar, creating a unique chewy texture that appeals to many. 

Unlike candies made with high fructose syrup, basic ginger chew recipes tend to stick to simpler, more natural ingredients.

Ginger chews

Understanding the Evidence For Ginger

While the health benefits of ginger, such as improved digestion and nausea relief, are well-documented in studies using fresh ginger, ground ginger, or ginger tea, it’s important to note that ginger chews are a different format. 

Ginger chews do contain real ginger, but they are also combined with cane sugar and sometimes additional flavourings or ingredients. This means that while we can anticipate some ginger chew benefits based on the properties of ginger itself, the exact effects might not mirror those achieved with other forms of ginger. 

The concentration and processing of ginger in chews might alter its potency or the way it interacts with the body compared to eating a slice of ginger root or sipping a cup of ginger tea.

Skincare Superstar

Beautiful woman with ginger chews

Boost Your Antioxidant Levels

Ginger is packed with antioxidants that increase the antioxidant capacity of your bloodstream (1). This is crucial for protecting and nurturing your skin from the inside out, helping to maintain its elasticity and youthful glow.

Fight Inflammation Naturally

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger effectively reduces chronic inflammation—a common culprit behind various skin issues. In fact ginger is the second best anti-inflammatory food in the world, only only behind turmeric (2). 

Incorporating original ginger chews into your daily diet can help soothe and clear your skin, reducing redness and irritation.

Prevent Oxidative Stress

Regular consumption of ginger chews combats oxidative stress, which can accelerate ageing and damage skin cells (3). 

By choosing original ginger chews as your go-to snack, you’re not only satisfying your sweet tooth but also giving your skin a flavourful way to stay healthy and vibrant.

Weight Management and Metabolic Benefits

Woman enjoying herself at the beach

Support Your Weight Loss Goals

Ginger has been shown to aid in weight loss by enhancing metabolic health (4). This makes ginger chews a much better option compare to lollies for those looking to manage their weight effectively.

Stabilise Blood Sugar Levels

Studies suggest that ginger can help lower blood sugar, with ginger tea shown to reduce the glycemic index of white bread by nearly 30% (5). 

Including ginger chews in your diet might offer similar benefits, helping to stabilise blood sugar levels and maintain energy. Although given the added sugar in ginger chews, we don’t know for sure what the exact impact of the chew will be.

Menstrual Relief with Ginger

Ginger

Ease Period Pain Naturally

Ginger is highly effective at reducing menstrual pain, with just an eighth of a teaspoon each day providing significant relief (6, 7). This potentially makes ginger chews a convenient, natural remedy for managing discomfort during menstruation.

Support Overall Well-being During Menstrual Cycles

Regular use of ginger has also been linked to reduced inflammation and pain, attributes that can be particularly beneficial during menstrual cycles. Adding ginger chews to your daily routine may help alleviate symptoms like bloating and cramps, promoting a better experience.

You’ll also like:
What is Ginger Peach Turmeric Tea Good For?

Natural Pain Relief

Migraines and Headaches

Ginger has been compared to ibuprofen in its effectiveness at relieving pain, particularly from migraines (8). 

A quarter- to a half-teaspoon a day of powdered ginger has shown results comparable to common pain relievers, suggesting that ginger chews might also offer a natural alternative for pain relief. Without risking damage to the intestinal lining like with pills.

Muscle Pain and Soreness

Regular consumption of ground ginger has been shown to reduce muscle pain over time, when taken daily (9). 

While the exact effect of ginger chews might vary, they might still help you lessen daily discomforts and joint pain associated with physical activity.

Relief from Nausea and Morning Sickness

Cubes of ginger chews

General Nausea Relief

Research spanning nine studies and seven reviews has shown that ginger significantly reduces nausea and vomiting consistently across various conditions, including morning sickness, postoperative recovery, and chemotherapy (12). However, the effectiveness of some studies has been questioned, casting some doubt on the research results. 

Despite these limitations, ginger remains a widely recommended natural remedy for nausea and vomiting.

Ginger candy then is an easy option for those seeking relief from an upset stomach, nausea and motion sickness (13). These candies provide a flavourful way to ingest ginger, making them a convenient and tasty method to combat nausea next time you need support.

Combat Morning Sickness

Ginger is recognised as a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness and severe morning sickness during pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (14,15). The natural properties of ginger can help soothe the stomach and reduce the frequency and intensity of nausea. 

Ease Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

Ginger has also been shown to be effective in alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea (14). Incorporating ginger chewsinto your routine can provide a gentle and natural method to managing nausea, making it easier to maintain your quality of life during challenging treatments.

You’ll also love: 5 Ways With Lemongrass and Ginger Tea

Additional Health Benefits

Protect Against Cellular Damage

Ginger is notable for its ability to protect against oxidative stress-induced DNA damage (10). 

Studies indicate that consuming about 1.5 teaspoons of ground ginger daily can lead to a 25% reduction in DNA damage from free radicals, suggesting that regular consumption of ginger chews could also contribute similarly to cellular health.

Boost Digestive Health

Ginger promotes digestive health by reducing intestinal gas and preventing colorectal cancer (11).

Adding ginger chews to your daily health regimen can be a tasty way to also enjoy these potential benefits whilst still indulging in a chewy candy.

Health benefits of ginger chews

With all the compelling benefits laid out, it’s clear that ginger chews are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a potential powerhouse of health benefits. From soothing morning sickness to boosting digestive health and offering natural pain relief, ginger chews may yet prove to be a tasty way to support your overall wellness. Whether you’re dealing with daily stresses or looking for a natural health boost, incorporating ginger chews into your routine can offer a simple yet effective solution. Embrace this flavourful way to a healthier, more vibrant life with every chew!

References

Most references below will link to the original peer-reviewed study itself. However, sometimes I will link to a video over at NutritionFacts.org instead, which is by far the single best resource of brutally transparent nutritional evidence you will ever see. Dr Greger tells a great story about the realities of the science and if I think you will benefit more from one of his videos, the link will take you there instead.

Happy nerding!

  1. Morvaridzadeh M, Sadeghi E, Agah S, et al. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Food Biochem. 2021;45(2):e13612. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13612
  2. Shivappa N, Steck SE, Hurley TG, Hussey JR, Hébert JR. Designing and developing a literature-derived, population-based dietary inflammatory index. Public Health Nutr. 2014;17(8):1689-1696. doi:10.1017/S1368980013002115
  3. Morvaridzadeh M, Sadeghi E, Agah S, et al. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Food Biochem. 2021;45(2):e13612. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13612
  4. Ebrahimzadeh Attari V, Ostadrahimi A, Asghari Jafarabadi M, Mehralizadeh S, Mahluji S. Changes of serum adipocytokines and body weight following Zingiber officinale supplementation in obese women: a RCT. Eur J Nutr. 2016;55(6):2129-2136. doi:10.1007/s00394-015-1027-6
  5. Azzeh FS. Synergistic effect of green tea, cinnamon and ginger combination on enhancing postprandial blood glucose. Pak J Biol Sci. 2013;16(2):74-79. doi:10.3923/pjbs.2013.74.79
  6. Kashefi F, Khajehei M, Alavinia M, Golmakani E, Asili J. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: a placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2015;29(1):114-119. doi:10.1002/ptr.5235
  7. Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(2):129-132. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0311
  8. Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi Esfandabadi A, Yousefi M. Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine. Phytother Res. 2014;28(3):412-415. doi:10.1002/ptr.4996
  9. Matsumura MD, Zavorsky GS, Smoliga JM. The Effects of Pre-Exercise Ginger Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Phytother Res. 2015;29(6):887-893. doi:10.1002/ptr.5328
  10. Percival SS, Vanden Heuvel JP, Nieves CJ, Montero C, Migliaccio AJ, Meadors J. Bioavailability of herbs and spices in humans as determined by ex vivo inflammatory suppression and DNA strand breaks. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012;31(4):288-294. doi:10.1080/07315724.2012.10720438
  11. Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, et al. Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):157. Published 2020 Jan 6. doi:10.3390/nu12010157
  12. Marx W, Kiss N, Isenring L. Is ginger beneficial for nausea and vomiting? An update of the literature. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2015;9(2):189-195. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000135
  13. Nunes CP, Rodrigues CC, Cardoso CAF, et al. Clinical Evaluation of the Use of Ginger Extract in the Preventive Management of Motion Sickness. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2020;92:100591. Published 2020 Jun 15. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2020.100591
  14. Lete I, Allué J. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016;11:11-17. Published 2016 Mar 31. doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273
  15. Natural Treatments for Morning Sickness at NutritionFacts.org

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