Dried ginger is a cured, dried piece of ginger root. It has been used as a culinary and medicinal ingredient for centuries and is still widely used today. It's easy to find in grocery stores or on Ceylon Groceries, but you can also make your own at home with fresh ginger root if you have the time! Dried ginger should be stored in an airtight container away from heat and light. Once it's opened, store it in the fridge for up to six months or freeze it for up to one year. A brief overview of the benefits of adding dried ginger to your diet Ginger is a versatile ingredient that can be used in cooking, baking, and drinks. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine as well. Ginger is also a good source of nutrients including vitamins A and C and minerals such as manganese and copper. So what are some advantages to adding dried ginger to your diet? Nutritional Value of Dried Ginger Dried ginger contains many nutrients, including: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) Vitamin C Thiamin Riboflavin Vitamin A Dried ginger also contains potassium and calcium. In addition to these vitamins, dried ginger is rich in antioxidants as well as iron, magnesium and zinc. Description of the nutrients found in dried ginger Dried ginger is a rich source of many nutrients, including Vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron. Vitamin B6 is essential for converting protein and carbohydrates into energy. Zinc, which supports immune function. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, while a copper deficiency can cause digestive problems like nausea or vomiting. Both zinc and copper are necessary for proper nerve function; zinc works with vitamin B6 to help maintain healthy skin tissue as well; and both zinc and iron are important for helping you stay mentally sharp. Calcium plays an important role in bone development. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure levels. Potassium helps control blood sugar levels. Copper promotes healthy red blood cells. How these nutrients contribute to overall health and well-being Ginger contains a number of nutrients that are good for you. To start, ginger is a great source of fibre. Fibre helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full longer, so eating foods that contain it can help prevent overeating. Ginger also provides vitamin C and B6, which are both involved in energy metabolism. Vitamin C is also important for maintaining strong bones and healthy blood vessels. Health Benefits of Dried Ginger While dried ginger is not commonly thought of as a superfood, it's actually a very nutritious food. Here are some of the health benefits of dried ginger: Dried ginger contains antioxidant compounds that may help reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Ginger can also serve as an anti-flatulence remedy by inhibiting gas in your stomach! Reduction of inflammation and pain Ginger is an anti-inflammatory. It has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and can be used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, asthma and allergies. Ginger’s antioxidant properties also help protect you from free radicals that cause oxidative stress which is when the body produces too many harmful free radicals from activities like exercise or exposure to pollutants in the air. Reducing inflammation can help improve your mood and energy levels; less pain means less fatigue! Improvement of digestion Ginger can help to improve digestion. It is a natural anti-inflammatory which helps reduce the symptoms of indigestion and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). Ginger also helps to increase the production of gastric juices, which aids in digesting food. Additionally, ginger may help increase the absorption of nutrients from food by stimulating your intestines and enhancing blood flow. Boost the immune system Ginger contains gingerol, which is a powerful antioxidant. Gingerol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Ginger helps keep your immune system strong. Potential cancer-fighting properties Ginger is a root that has been used in various forms, including fresh and dried, for thousands of years. It has a sweet aroma and slightly spicy taste that make it an ideal addition to soups and sauces, as well as a tasty treat on its own. While ginger may not be the most popular food in your diet today, its potential health benefits are worth exploring. Ginger contains antioxidants called gingerols (among others), which have been shown to help prevent cancer in mice by reducing inflammation and inhibiting tumour growth. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce symptoms of arthritis, migraines and other inflammatory conditions. In addition to these individual benefits for certain conditions, some research suggests that ginger extract can actually kill cancer cells directly by disrupting their metabolism or cell structure a process known as apoptosis and preventing them from spreading through the body (metastasis). Other potential health benefits Dried ginger is also believed to help with the following: Nausea. Dried ginger has been used for many years as a treatment for nausea, especially during pregnancy. It's thought that dried ginger helps relieve nausea by stimulating the production of saliva, which can increase the amount of food and liquids that you're able to eat or drink without experiencing discomfort. Arthritis pain relief. Several small studies have suggested that dried ginger may be useful for relieving arthritis-related pain in people with osteoarthritis; however, these results need confirmation from larger studies before they can be applied clinically (meaning it's not clear if they'll work). How to Incorporate Dried Ginger into Your Diet Dried ginger can be incorporated into a wide variety of recipes, from Asian stir-fries to pastries to mixed drinks. Ginger is also great for making your own spice blends and rubs, as well as adding individual pieces to soups or stews at the end of cooking. Add dried ginger to smoothies, lemonade and your favorite teas for an extra kick of flavor. You can get the most out of your dried ginger if you store it properly. To extend its shelf life: Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight (the refrigerator is fine) Do not store with apples or bananas since they emit ethylene gas which will cause them all to go bad faster Adding dried ginger to tea and other beverages If you're looking for a way to add some zing and spice to your daily routine, dried ginger is the way to go. It gives food a healthy kick and adds an exciting new flavour profile to your diet. One of the simplest ways to start enjoying this versatile ingredient is by adding it directly into hot water or tea. You can also use ground-dried ginger for cooking, baking, and seasoning meats such as chicken or fish. If you prefer something cold instead, try adding raw dried ginger (without any added sugar) to smoothies and shakes! Using dried ginger in cooking and baking Dried ginger is a great addition to many different types of recipes. It can be used in savoury dishes, desserts and drinks and can be used in both sweet and savoury foods. Ginger is also very versatile in terms of how it’s prepared - you can add it raw, pureed or grated into your recipes as you see fit! For example: If you want to add a little kick to your chilli or soup, try adding some pureed dried ginger root along with other spices such as cumin and coriander. Its sweet flavour will complement any spicy dish perfectly! Trying out ginger supplements and extracts You can also find dried ginger supplements and extracts in capsule form. They are available at most health-food stores and online. If you decide to use a supplement or extract, it's important to: Read the label carefully to make sure that there are no ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Do not use them if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Take them with water or juice, not while eating food that contains fat; otherwise, they may not be absorbed properly by your body. Experimenting with different forms of dried ginger (e.g. powder, slices, crystals) Dried ginger is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. You can find dried ginger in powder form, as slices or even crystals. If you're looking for something to add to your dishes, you may want to experiment with different forms of dried ginger. Powder: The powder form is best used when you want the flavour without much texture (e.g., when making sweet baked goods). Slices: Once they’re sliced, these pieces have a little more bite and crunch than the fine powder form but still not enough so as to change the flavour profile too much on their own. Crystals: These are tiny little nuggets of spice that add an extra kick of heat (and allspice flavour) when sprinkled on top of nearly anything from stir-fries and roasted root vegetables to tea! Conclusion Hope this article has helped you to understand how delicious and nutritious dried ginger can be. It’s a great way to get more flavour into your food and drink, as well as an excellent source of many of the nutrients that we need every day. If you want to try adding this delicious herb to your diet, all it takes is a little bit of experimentation with different forms of dried ginger (e.g. powder, slices) or even supplements and extracts! To buy dried ginger in Canada and USA visit Ceylon Groceries.