HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER FOR MEN

Ginger is a root of the plant Zingiber officinale. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Its health benefits are in large part to compounds in the root like gingerones, gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. While ginger has many health benefits for everyone, here are 6 health benefits of ginger for men.

Health Benefits of Ginger for Men 

PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer is a disease that affects millions of men per year. The older a man gets, the more likely he is to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

One study found that whole ginger extract prevented the growth of prostate cancer cells and caused existing cells to commit cell suicide. It was found that a daily intake of 100 mg of whole ginger extract per kilogram of body weight per day inhibited the progression of cancer cells in mice by about 56%. They also noted that ginger did not cause any toxicity or damage to non-cancerous cells.

COLON CANCER
Colon cancer affects men at a much higher rate than women. It is the 2nd leading killer among cancers in the United States. A study at the University of Minnesota found that gingerol, a phytonutrient that gives ginger its spicy taste, may have chemoprotective properties when used to treat colon cancer. The results of the study were so strong that the University of Minnesota is working on creating pharmaceutical drugs using gingerol as an anti-cancer drug.

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in the United States. Ginger is a good source of several vitamins and minerals that protect against heart disease: potassium, magnesium and vitamin B-6. They can lower the risk of heart disease by preventing clogged arteries and lowering blood pressure. Studies have found that ginger may also lower cholesterol and prevent clogged blood vessels that can lead to heart attack and stroke.


MALE FERTILITY
Ginger is a great source of manganese, a mineral found to be essential to a man’s sex drive and sperm count by helping the body to produce testosterone. Preliminary research has found that ginger reduced certain issues that cause infertility in men. The researchers noted that there should be further research and that the findings are significant enough that they may have an important effect on the issue of male infertility.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Ginger is considered by many cultures to be an aphrodisiac and there very well might be science behind that legend. The gingerol in ginger helps to increase the dilation of blood vessels and improves circulation. It may also stimulate blood flow. The good thing is that it’s a natural remedy that men can buy without feeling embarrassed.

DIABETES
Diabetes affects about 12% of men over the age of 20 in the United States. One study found that people who took ginger 1 gram of ginger three times a day for 8 weeks had significantly lower blood sugar levels than people given a placebo. The magnesium and manganese in ginger are known to help regulate blood sugar levels in men with type-2 diabetes.

Note:
Always speak to your doctor before starting on a ginger regimen, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are on medication. Ginger may interfere with certain medications like blood thinners and diabetes drugs. As mentioned above, high doses of ginger may negatively affect heart conditions.  Work with your health professionals to find the right plan for you if you decide to incorporate ginger into your diet.