Does Ginger Have Side Effects?

Ever heard the saying, “Ginger can do no wrong”? Well, I have too! This saying stems from an age-long belief that ginger can cure almost any and every kind of ailment. There’s some truth to this, as ginger is an age-long therapy for many illnesses and health conditions. This is because this spicy root contains some properties that act against bacteria in the body. All over the world, people ingest ginger and its extracts are ingested as juices and in food. Everyone knows that ginger is great, with loads of health benefits. What we may not know is that there are consequences of consuming ginger in surplus amounts! Like every good thing, excessive intake of ginger has some side effects. We’d examine a number of them, but first, what do you know about ginger?

Where’s Ginger from?

We already know that ginger is an essential component of our health. Its origin is the low rainforests of Southern Asia. Ginger is also in subareas in India and Europe; especially Italy. Ginger got out of Europe thousands of years ago through some Roman explorers who visited India and learned of the herb’s incredible medicinal properties. 

What does Ginger Look Like?

Turmeric and the like all belong to the same genus as ginger because they are all spicy roots. Ginger is also a perennial plant. This suggests that it takes three or more years for the root to grow and produce the ginger fruit. Ginger is not a tall plant; its stem grows up to about 1 meter in size. What`s more? The ginger plant has green leaves and lustrous buds. 

Now we know what ginger looks like. Let’s check out a few health benefits of adding ginger to your everyday diet.

• Ginger and its extracts work to relieve gastrointestinal issues and abdominal pains.
• Ginger is also good for your heart. It improves your blood flow and heart rate. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure. 
• Ginger helps your respiratory organs by protecting it from different respiratory ailments like bronchitis and asthma.
• Ginger helps to regulate your blood sugar levels. It is an excellent anti-diabetic prescription. 

Now, let’s move to the crux of this article. I told you earlier that ginger has some side effects. Here are some of them:

10 Side Effects of Ginger

Blood Pressure

Ginger works as an excellent blood pressure regulator. However, excessive intake of ginger or ginger-based products can mean bad news for your blood pressure levels; especially if you combine it with a hypotension prescription. So, be sure to check with your physician if you’re on blood pressure-lowering drugs before you gobble up any ginger diet. 

Not for Expecting Women and New Mothers? 

Something like that! Now, this is not to say that expecting and nursing mothers should entirely forgo ginger. After all, ginger helps to lessen the occurrence of sickness and irritation in expecting women. However, excessive intake of ginger can result in miscarriage; especially when you ingest more than 1500 milligrams of ginger or ginger supplements daily. It can also trigger heartburn and acid reflux. For centuries, ginger has been used to prepare spicy soups for new mothers. However, experts suggest that excessive intake of ginger; especially for women who suffered hemorrhage during labor, may lead to serious health consequences. Pregnant women are advised to adhere strictly to their doctor’s instructions with regards to the appropriate ginger dosage for them. 

Diarrhea

Ginger could aid bowel movement a little too much! Because it contains active ingredients that accelerate bowel fluidity, it can lead to diarrhea if you don`t regulate its intake. 

Hemorrhage

Ginger contains antiplatelet materials that can lead to blood thinning. This makes the blood light and can bring about excessive bleeding; especially when you combine ginger with ginseng or garlic. 

Low Blood Sugar

For many years, people have used ginger and its extracts as a treatment for diabetes to lower blood sugar levels. However, when you combine it with diabetes drugs, it can spell disaster for your health. Ginger can increase the effect of diabetes drugs and result in hypoglycemia. 

Cardiovascular Conditions

Excessive intake of ginger is unhealthy for your heart too. Ginger can exacerbate cardiac conditions in both men and women. Also, it can lead to a rapid dip in blood pressure levels. Ginger also affects your heartbeat, resulting in irregular heart rates. Taking ginger in a high amount can also affect hypertensive persons. Ginger contains some properties that inhibit antihypertensive pills which may ultimately aggravate the condition. 

Bloated Abdomen

Ginger and its extracts can mildly affect the digestive system in humans. This can cause swelling of the stomach or the secretion of unnecessary belly gases. Ginger ale likewise causes the same outcome, so be careful with it too. 

Gastrointestinal Problems

Ginger is useful for dealing with digestive issues. Ginger helps to speed up the secretion of bile and aids the breaking down and absorption of your food; that is when you have actual food in your stomach. However, if you take enormous amounts of ginger on an empty stomach, it will impact you negatively. Ginger contains active ingredients like gingerol, which can cause gastric provocation and PH levels imbalance. The gastric stimulus can trigger digestive discomfort and cause abdominal issues. This results in stomach discomfort. 

Heartburn

If you’ve ever experienced heartburn, you’d know that it is excruciating. Now, you should know that taking ginger in substantial doses, that is, 4 grams or more daily, can cause heartburn. It can also induce excessive belching and stomach disorder. The good news is, ginger supplements do not have the same effect, so you can still enjoy your ginger in supplement form. 

Eye and Skin Irritation

Let’s talk about ginger allergies! Yes, some people suffer from a ginger allergy. This usually manifests as skin rashes, swelling, and redness of the membrane. If you are allergic to ginger, you can try using ginger supplements of the yellow ginger, turmeric. However, you should know that turmeric too has its side effects. For example, it reacts negatively with pills such as antihypertensive drugs, antiplatelet drugs, and anti-diabetic drugs. 

Let’s examine the side effects of ginger extracts and supplements. 

• Ginger roots can trigger maw discomfort and gastrointestinal issues. It can similarly lead to nausea and light-headedness.
• Turmeric ginger tea can worsen kidney stones and gallstone conditions by accelerating the uric acid blood level.
• Ginger tea can aggravate heartburn, abdominal ache and mouth irritation. It can also cause sleeplessness, especially if you drink it just before bedtime.
• Drinking lemon ginger tea excessively can result in frequent urination.
• Ginger ale reacts negatively with anti-cancer tablets. It worsens gallbladder disease. 
• Ginger supplements can negatively affect your heart and blood sugar levels. 

Ginger is beneficial, but when you use it in the appropriate quantity. So, how much ginger is too much ginger? Specialists posit that the safe daily dosage for ginger is 1500 milligrams. Anything outside this may be terrible news for your health. Here’s the dosage breakdown for ginger roots:

• Youngsters from 2 to 6 years should not take more than 2 milligrams of ginger roots daily.
• Expectant females should not take more than 1 gram of ginger roots every day.
• Adults should not take more than 4 grams of ginger roots daily. 

If you’re unsure of the appropriate ginger dosage for you, check in with your local health practitioner. 

Now that you Know…

Just like every good thing, ginger has its fair share of side effects. However, these do not take away any of the amazing health benefits it provides for us. The key is always to take ginger and its supplements in the right quantity. Stick to your ginger dosage, and you’d be well on your way to a healthier life!