Ginger is one of the most widely used ingredients in cooking around the world. In its fresh form, it adds a wonderfully pungent kick to dishes. But the dried and ground form of ginger, typically called dry ginger, provides a wide array of health benefits, many of which can benefit children specifically.
Dry ginger is packed with active compounds like gingerols, shogaols, zingerone and oleoresins that have proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. It has been used for centuries in various traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda to treat a wide range of ailments. In this blog, we’ll explore some top benefits of dry ginger for kids and how it can be incorporated into their diet.
Dry Ginger Benefits
Boosts Immunity
Dry ginger is loaded with many antioxidants which help fight inflammation and damage from free radicals. It also contains antimicrobial compounds that battle viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This helps boost immune health and prevent infections. Strengthening immunity in children is especially important as they are prone to picking up bugs at school that lead to coughs, colds, and flu. Adding dry ginger to foods, drinks, broths, and teas can help fortify children’s immune systems.
Eases Nausea and Digestive Issues
Dry ginger has been used for thousands of years to help relieve nausea, upset stomach, and digestive problems. The compounds in ginger help relax the intestinal tract and act as carminatives, which break up gas bubbles. This antiemetic and gastroprotective effect can ease stomach aches, nausea, diarrhoea, and morning sickness. Dry ginger is also often used to help with motion sickness, which many children deal with. Having ginger candies, ginger ale, or ginger tea can help settle an unsettled tummy.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Sprains, headaches, arthritis aches, and growing pains are common issues faced by kids. The potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds found abundantly in dry ginger can help children get relief from many types of pain. It does this by inhibiting the compounds that trigger inflammation and reducing prostaglandin production. This is why ginger essential oils and compresses are often used to relieve sore, swollen joints and muscles in children.
Supports Respiratory Health
Dry ginger’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory powers also help when it comes to respiratory issues that kids frequently face like colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and allergies. The gingerol in dry ginger thins mucus secretion and helps clear up congestion. It also prevents infections that lead to sore throats and coughs. Drinking ginger tea with honey is a go-to home remedy during cold season to help minimize symptoms and recover faster. Using ginger essential oils in diffusers can also ease sinus congestion and coughing.
How to Use Dry Ginger for Your Kids
Luckily, there are endless ways to incorporate dry ground ginger into your children’s meals, snacks, and drinks so they can reap all these amazing benefits. Here are some child-friendly options:
- Add ginger powder to smoothies, juices, lemonades, and shakes.
- Mix into honey or agave nectar for a zingy cough and sore throat syrup.
- Bake into cookies, cakes, muffins, bread, and pancakes.
- Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, and cereal.
- Mix ginger powder with maple syrup or chocolate for a unique dipping sauce.
- Use in savoury cooking for chicken, fish, lentils, veggies, and rice dishes.
- Brew into tea, chai drinks, ginger ale, and lemon-ginger tonics.
Conclusion:
The spicy, sweet warmth of dry ginger is a fantastic addition to both sweet and savoury foods kids enjoy. Start with small doses when introducing dry ginger to children as the heat can be quite intense in larger quantities, especially for younger palates. But used moderately, dry ginger can incorporate a mighty dose of nutrition into your children’s diet along with a vibrant flavour they’ll love.
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FAQs
1. Does dry ginger boost immunity?
Ans. Dry ginger is loaded with many antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that battle viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This helps boost immune health and prevent infections.
2. Can dry ginger reduce pain and inflammation?
Ans. Yes, dry ginger contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds that can help children get relief from many types of pain.
3. How to Use Dry Ginger for Your Kids
Ans. Add ginger powder to smoothies, juices, lemonades, and shakes. You can also brew into tea, chai drinks, ginger ale, and lemon-ginger tonics.
4. Does dry ginger support respiratory health?
Ans. The gingerol in dry ginger thins mucus secretion and helps clear up congestion. It also prevents infections that lead to sore throats and coughs.
5. Can dry ginger treat digestive issues?
Ans. Yes, the compounds in ginger help relax the intestinal tract and act as carminatives, which can help in treating digestive issues.