Ginger is the rhizome of a reed like perennial (Zingiber officinale) from the family Zingiberaceae; a tall flowering plant that has a tan skin, ivory to greenish yellow flesh and a sweet, peppery flavour with notes of rosemary and lemon. Alexander the Great was responsible for the introduction of ginger; it came to Europe in about 340 BC.
Ginger can be used to aid digestion; it is a stimulant and also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help relieve pain associated with muscular problems. It also alleviates high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and improves circulation. It has been known to relax the stomach so a preparation of ginger is good to take before travelling if you suffer from travel sickness, also helps alleviate symptoms of morning sickness.
Due to its warming qualities, ginger can be found in many herbal preparations for coughs and colds.
Vitamin Content
Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E, Vitamin B9 (Folate – folic acid), Choline
Electrolyte Content
Potassium, Sodium
Mineral Content
Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc
Shopping and Storing Tips
Always look for a ginger root with a smooth, firm skin that is free of mould and doesn’t have too many twists and joints. If the root is wrinkled it is dried out.
I find the best way to store ginger is to place the root, unwashed in a self-sealing bag that has had the air squashed out. The root will keep for up to 3-4 weeks if stored this way.
Culinary Tips
This underground root has a sweet and very sharp taste and can be used in sweet and savoury dishes, as a condiment, in preserves, soups, sauces and as a beverage. Ginger also features in many spice combinations used in curry and Asian cooking.
You can buy ginger dried, fresh or in syrup. One large root of ginger provides enough ginger for several dishes. The flesh underneath the brown skin of the root can be sliced or shredded to add an aromatic flavor to all dishes.
Hydration Cucumbers are 95 percent water, according to Ware. This makes cucumbers a great way to stay hydrated, especially during the summer. A cup of cucumber slices is "nearly as thirst-quenching as a glass of water," according to Eating Well magazine. "They say we can get 20-30 percent of our fluid needs through our diet alone, and foods like these certainly help," added Lemond. "Not only are they high in water content, they also contain important nutrients that play a part in hydration like magnesium and potassium." The anti-inflammatory compounds in cucumbers help remove waste from the body and reduce skin irritation, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Preliminary research also suggests cucumbers promote anti-wrinkling and anti-aging activity , according to an article in the journal Filoterapia. Cancer prevention Cucumbers contain two phytonutrient compounds associated with anti-cancer benefits: lignans and cucurbitacins. In rece...
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