Reasons to Add Ginger to Your Diet, Stat

Ginger root may look a little funky, but don’t let its alien-like form steer you away. This fragrant super spice is packed with good-for-you nutrients—and versatile enough to be used in everything from desserts to smoothies to stir-fries. Here are four reasons to add ginger to your diet, plus a recipe for fresh ginger tea!

1. Ginger is a tummy tamer. Whether you’re feeling a little bit of seasickness or a lot a bit of morning sickness, ginger has your back. While it won’t necessarily prevent you from vomiting, ginger has been shown in studies to help nausea and aid digestion. This is because ginger is a carminative, which means it helps to break up gas and move it along.

2. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger has had a long reputation of being medicinal due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Eating an inflammation-fighting diet is important to help ward off many diseases that have been linked to chronic inflammation, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. A diet rich in antioxidants gives your overall health a boost and helps fight cell-damaging free radicals.

3. Ginger may ease your aches. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory powers may also help with certain types of pain, like muscle soreness from working out, menstrual cramps, or osteoarthritis pain.

4. Ginger could help lower your cholesterol. The antioxidants in ginger have also been shown to help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Keeping these cholesterol levels low reduces your risk of developing atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease.