If you’re trying to lose weight or reset your gut, you’ve probably read time and time again about all the foods you should cut out. From sugar to processed carbs to alcohol, the list of foods we’re supposed to avoid for our health sometimes feels overwhelming. In fact, you may be wondering if there’s anything left to eat at all! Luckily, we’re here to tell you that there are still plenty of ingredients you can cook with in order to keep your body happy and healthy–in fact, certain foods and spices can actually help you lose weight and boost your digestion. That includes one versatile spice that tastes delicious in a whole range of meals and beverages: ginger.
Who knew that one spice could do so much for your health?! To learn more about how this unexpectedly healthy ingredient affects your body, we spoke to Joanna Wen, certified weight loss coach and founder of Spices and Greens. Read on for all of her expert insight!
Ginger
If you're looking for a natural way to boost your metabolism, lose weight, and aid in digestion, you should consider adding ginger to your daily routine,” Wen tells us, noting that this spice has “a long history of being used for medicinal purposes.” Let’s dive into a few of those purposes below!
Ginger for metabolism and weight loss
Ginger is a fantastic spice that can help aid weight loss in multiple ways. For one, Wen points out that it can help boost your metabolism: “It increases your body’s thermogenesis, which causes a higher rate of calorie burning,” she says. Incredible!
Additionally, this spice is packed with antioxidants that help give it anti-inflammatory benefits, which can “speed up the process of weight loss naturally.” Studies even show that ginger can increase feelings of satiety and work as an appetite suppressant, which means it can help you keep those pesky cravings that make weight loss so difficult at bay and avoid overeating. What’s more, it can help regulate your blood sugar–and when you can avoid glucose spikes, weight loss becomes easier. All in all, it does a great deal to help you slim down.
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Ginger for digestion
In addition to boosting metabolism and aiding weight loss, ginger can also help you keep your digestive health in check (which, amazingly, also helps you shed those pounds, too!). “Ginger also helps flush out toxins and waste from your system, ensuring efficient digestion and better absorption of nutrients in the food you eat,” Wen says. This is largely thanks to a compound called gingerol, which promotes gastrointestinal mobility (a.k.a. allows for easier, faster, healthier digestion).
The benefits don't stop there, either. The nutrients found in ginger can work wonders for so many areas of your wellness. "This fragrant spice is also packed with antioxidants and minerals like zinc and iron, making it incredibly powerful when it comes to promoting health," Wen says.
The bottom line
While there are so many great ways to lose weight and keep your gut happy and healthy (remember that at the end of the day, a balanced diet is one of the most crucial aspects), sprinkling this handy spice into your meals is one easy trick you should definitely try out. “Put simply, when it comes to supporting weight loss as well as increased metabolism and improved digestion, there's no question that ginger is one of the best spices you can use,” Wen concludes.
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