Benefits of ginger for the immune system
Now that it’s wintertime, your consumers are likely looking for ways to support their immune systems as they face a busy holiday season. Wintertime is known for its colds and flu, and the average consumer is well aware of the importance of a healthy immune system. Give your immune formulations a boost with Gingever from OmniActive. Our specialty formulation is a standardized high-potency ginger extract designed to help support immune health in a low-dose, versatile application.
Most products containing standard ginger root powder provide a low amount of gingerols, the active compound in ginger, and therefore consumers need to take large doses of ginger to achieve efficacious amounts. Gingever addresses this challenge through the use of an extraction process which provides a concentrated amount of gingerols in a low-dose efficacious product.
How does ginger boost the immune system?
Ginger is a tropical herb widely used for medicinal and culinary purposes and has a long history of safe use. Its plant family includes cardamom and turmeric, two other popular spices . Ginger root contains a wide range of compounds including gingerols. These beneficial compounds have been studied for their potential antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Gingerols are one of the major classes of active components in ginger, with over 30 related gingerol compounds identified.
Potential antioxidant effects
One way ginger may support a healthy immune system is through its potential antioxidant activity. While researchers are still studying this effect of ginger, some studies suggest that ginger may function as an antioxidant. Oxidative stress happens when the body works to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are scavenging molecules that may damage healthy cells, creating oxidative stress or damage. Studies suggest that oxidative damage may be a factor in many health conditions.
Antioxidants are molecules that can stabilize a free radical’s structure, keeping it from potentially damaging healthy cells. Ginger root contains a high concentration of antioxidants which may help support immune health.
Ginger and digestion
As the holidays fast approach, people are thinking about large meals with family and friends and how it may impact their gut health. Holiday treats and meals may put extra strain on the digestive tract, and consumers are thinking about ways to support their digestion. Enter Gingever from OmniActive. We formulate our ginger to yield a high potency at a low dose.
How does ginger help with digestion?
Humans have been using ginger root as food and Ayurveda for roughly 5,000 years. Studies suggest that ginger (and its active constituents like gingerol) work within the digestive tract by increasing gastric tone and mobility and helping food empty out of the stomach into the small intestine. Interestingly, ginger may work with serotonin receptors and the vagal nerve, which may be part of how it might be able to help with nausea and vomiting. Ginger is also considered a carminative, helping to move gas from the digestive tract. Gingerol, one of ginger’s main active constituents, may also be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and a potent antioxidant. All these actions offered by ginger make it one of the most popular and widely used digestive aids.
May help ease nausea and vomiting
Ginger is most famous for its potential ability to help combat nausea and vomiting, and it is thought to be particularly helpful for these issues. Ginger’s possible use as an antiemetic (medicine for nausea and vomiting) has been well studied, particularly during pregnancy.
A classic symptom of pregnancy is a condition called “morning sickness.” Characterized by pregnant women having nausea and vomiting, commonly in the morning, pregnant women can experience morning sickness throughout the day. 80% of women experience nausea and/or vomiting during their first trimester. While some medications can help with this condition, doctors commonly recommend ginger because it is thought to be safe and effective. Morning sickness can significantly inhibit day-to-day functioning and keep the mother-to-be from taking in (or keeping down) enough nutritious food. Extensively studied for at least 30 years, studies suggest that small doses (1 g) of ginger daily may significantly reduce the nausea and vomiting that come with pregnancy.
Eating too much, general illness, seasickness, or eating something disagreeable can all cause these unpleasant symptoms. It is widely thought that ginger may also be an effective antiemetic in these cases.
Carminative
Did you know that digestive gasses can build up and cause a lot of discomfort? One of ginger’s most potent actions is to help the body relieve itself of built-up flatulence or gas. Ginger can be an excellent carminative which means it helps the body rid itself of internal gasses. Assisting the body pass gas has numerous benefits. When gas builds up and gets “stuck”, it can cause digestive discomfort, cramping, nausea, and vomiting by putting pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. It’s pressure on this area that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Ginger can help to “break up” “stuck” gasses in the digestive tract and helps the body expel them. Releasing gas can relieve painful cramping and vomiting and can also help to ease nausea.
Gingever from OmniActive
Let us help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace with our commitment to the scientific, technical, and marketing sides of the supplement industry. With our experienced teams, we can help you find innovative solutions to all your product needs. And we can help you give your consumers what they want: low-dose, effective ginger supplements for digestion and nausea. Made with a CO2, solvent-free extraction process, our Gingever is safe and effective. It comes in a 30% paste (min 25% gingerols) and a powder (min 10% gingerols), giving you a wide range of applications with our ginger ingredient. If you are ready for an analytical or delicious application sample or to start formulating, please reach out to us today!