There are many benefits of Ginger Root that we’re all familiar with – anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive aid and improves muscle soreness to name a few. I recently learned of another great benefit of Ginger Root that makes this Super Food even more AWESOME! I posted about it on my Instagram account @sgbmixr. I became curious about this surprising benefit, so I started researching to learn more. It turns out there’s a lot of information readily available but apparently not widely discussed. So, what is this great new discovery? Did you know Ginger Root is a MOOD ENHANCER? It has an effect on the brain in a manner similar to antidepressant medications. It’s also a sexual stimulant but we won’t be focusing on that right now, so don’t let your mind wander.
Why didn’t I know this already? What’s even more interesting is, the same properties of Ginger Root that provide its health benefits we often hear of, like its digestive effects, are the same properties allowing ginger to act as a mood enhancer. In other words: Mood & Digestion or Brain & Gut. If you’ve ever heard the term “Brain – Gut Axis” or “Brain – Gut Connection”, this is the pathway that allows Ginger Root to exert positive effects on both digestion and mood. If you’ve ever experienced “butterflies” in your stomach before giving a presentation or in anticipation of meeting someone new, then you recognize the impact of this connection. So, what do these two systems share in common that allows ginger to activate its benefits?
The most important commonality as it relates to our discussion is that both your brain and gut share the same chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) like Serotonin and others. If you’re familiar with antidepressant medications, SSRIs/SNRIs, then you’re likely already familiar with Serotonin. These two classes of prescriptions are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors. Chemical messengers Serotonin, Norepinephrine and Dopamine are referred to as the “feel good” hormones. By their mechanism, these prescription medications allow Serotonin to hang around in the brain longer to exert its uplifting effects. The presence of Serotonin in the brain lifts our mood and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. SSRIs and SNRIs block (inhibit) receptors that take up or remove Serotonin from the brain. Ginger Root has the same effect of increasing each of these happy hormones, possibly by a mechanism that also inhibits receptor activity, allowing these chemical messengers to exert their mood enhancing effects.1 Thus, in the brain, Ginger Root works similarly to these commonly prescribed medications.* In the gut, ginger also inhibits Serotonin receptor activity leading to a reduction in nausea and vomiting (emesis) one study showed.2
In my Instagram post, I commented on how I sometimes dance around the kitchen and wonder why I’m so happy. I’m usually drinking one of our ginger drinks or eating our Ginger Toppers. I thought I was just in a good mood, and I was, but now I know I can attribute my positive mood to the AWESOME benefits of Ginger Root! When we’re vending at the local farmers market and popups, we get the same response from our customers when they take that First SIP! They often respond with adjectives like “Delicious”, “Refreshing”, or my favorite comment, “This makes me so Happy!” SWEET GINGER BROWNE has a variety of flavors, both warm and relaxing or refreshing and uplifting, that will bring you feelings of comfort and joy. AWESOME Ginger Root has many health benefits including its MOOD Enhancing Effects. However you consume it, please make Ginger Root a regular part of your daily diet. For more information on related ginger topics, follow our social media channels by clicking the icons at the top of the page. Read more about the mental health benefits of Ginger Root by clicking here: https://bebrainfit.com/ginger-health-benefits/
* This is not an endorsement to use Ginger Root as a substitute for prescription medicine. Please consult with your doctor before making any change to your medications.