Ginger And Turmeric Have Numerous Health Benefits, But Can We Eat Them Together?

Turmeric and ginger have been in the column of healthy options for thousands of years. These rhizomes share their origins in ancient China and India where it has been used as both a spice and a medicine. From travelling throughout Europe and Asia, ginger and turmeric have now become a household item. It was long considered an herbal remedy for motion sickness, nausea, pain and digestive stress. India is the largest producer of turmeric. These rhizomes can have pain-relieving effects for a variety of ailments. Curcumin, the anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric, has been found to help relieve the symptoms of painful inflammatory diseases, like arthritis and colitis. On the other hand, ginger can have a delayed therapeutic action. According to a review in Pharmaceutics, turmeric was shown to improve quality of life and decrease pain in breast cancer. A 2022 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology also found that a compound in ginger called 6-shogaol was responsible for inhibiting inflammation in the cells of blood cells. With a pyramid of health benefits of these rhizomes, many people wonder about the combined benefits of ginger and turmeric.

The idea of combining ginger and turmeric may seem like a match made in heaven as it promises a mixture of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The preliminary studies published in Molecules suggest that the duo may synergise to combat inflammation more effectively than when used alone. However, caution is advised because the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety is limited. Even after carrying numerous health benefits, the high doses of these supplements can pose a high risk to your health.

While ginger and turmeric offer a pyramid of health benefits, they are not without their potential side effects. The high doses of these spices can lead to gastrointestinal problems, heartburn, diarrhoea and even allergic reactions to many. There is a lack of regulation in the supplement industry which calls for sourcing high-quality products that need to undergo rigorous testing for purity and potency. Individuals taking medications for sugar or blood pressure should exercise caution when considering ginger and turmeric supplements as advised by the medical experts.