Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a very popular Ayurveda herb used for centuries to treat many common ailments. However, this medicinal herb has some adverse effects too. It may interact with certain medications and supplements....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Excessive intake of ginger may cause diarrhea and heart issues and increase the risk of miscarriage. The herb may also lower blood pressure way too much.
Though the side effects of ginger largely occur due to its over consumption, it is important to be aware of them.
1. May Cause Heartburn
Ginger, when taken in higher doses (more than 4 grams per day), may cause mild heartburn. As per anecdotal evidence, other likely side effects include an upset stomach and belching.
In case you are using ginger as an alternative remedy and are experiencing heartburn as a side effect, you may want to try ginger in the capsule form. This might not result in side effects.
A study reports heartburn in subjects who were given ginger. Most often, consuming more than 5 grams of ginger per day can lead to these side effects, including heartburn .
2. May Cause Bleeding
Ginger may aggravate bleeding issues .This applies not only to the herb, but also to any ingredient present in the herb.
Certain experts believe that ginger could cause bleeding due to its anti-platelet (blood thinning) properties Some believe ginger can further increase the risk of bleeding when taken along with other herbs like clove, garlic, ginseng, and red clover. However, more research is warranted in this aspect.
3. May Lead To Diarrhea
If taken in large quantities, ginger can cause diarrhea. Gingerols, the active ingredients in ginger, speed up the passage of food through the intestines and may cause diarrhea .While this was confirmed in animal studies, more studies in humans are warranted.
Diarrhea can occur when the stool moves too rapidly through the gastrointestinal tract. Abnormal gastrointestinal motility and excessive fluid secretion of the gastrointestinal tract cause diarrhea.
4. May Upset Stomach
There is less research in this regard. Ginger stimulates the secretion of bile, which benefits digestion. But if your stomach is empty, this may lead to excess gastric stimulation, causing digestive distress and an upset stomach.
The gingerol in ginger (which is similar to capsaicin, the active ingredient in many spices and chili peppers) is thought to irritate the stomach, making it produce more acid. This may leave you feeling unsettled.
However, some evidence states that ginger could actually help treat an upset stomach .Hence, more studies are needed to understand how ginger may cause stomach upset.
5. Might Not Be Safe During Pregnancy
Though ginger can reduce nausea in pregnant women, it is important to note the herb’s dark side as well. According to certain experts, consuming ginger can increase the risk of miscarriage . It may not be dangerous if the dosage is below 1500 mg per day .Anything beyond this could be unsafe for pregnant women.
Taking ginger supplements in large doses can also cause miscarriage and other complications. Though ginger is safe when used in amounts found in food, it can cause problems during pregnancy. Excess intake of ginger during pregnancy may also lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
Ginger can increases the bleeding risk by decreasing aggregation of platelets .Hence, mothers who have lost a significant amount of blood during childbirth must abstain from ginger during the early days following childbirth.
6. May Cause Gas And Bloating
Ginger tea may cause certain mild digestive side effects. It most often impacts the upper digestive system and causes upper digestive gas. Replacing ginger with supplements could be one solution to this. But make sure you talk to your doctor before using them.
Some believe the same could happen with ginger ale, the carbonated drink. The drink may aggravate bloating in certain individuals.
7. May Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much
Ginger is usually known to aid diabetes treatment by lowering blood sugar levels. However, taking it along with diabetes medication may cause problem. Ginger may enhance the effects of the medication and cause hypoglycemia or excessive lowering of blood sugar.
8. May Cause Mouth Irritation
This is also called Oral Allergy Syndrome. Certain allergies occur when you consume certain foods. The symptoms are generally specific to the ears, skin, and mouth. One such allergy occurs when you consume ginger (not in all individuals, though), where your mouth starts to itch.
Mouth irritation might also lead to an unpleasant taste. Though switching to a ginger supplement might help, this is not always the case. Other related allergies include tingling and swelling of the mouth. However, limited research is available in this aspect, and we need further studies to understand why ginger may cause these allergies.
9. May Cause Skin And Eye Irritation
According to a scientific study, the most common allergic reaction to ginger is a skin rash . Other allergies to ginger include itchy eyes, skin redness, and skin inflammation.
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