Is Ginger Good for Heart Patients

May 11
10:51

2015

Sara Anderson

Sara Anderson

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Ginger root, in addition to its well-known flavor characteristics, have many therapeutic properties as well - it is used not only as a delicious spice but also as a remedy for many diseases. Ginger can be quite beneficial for heart patients due to its ability to reduce the levels of cholesterol in blood and prevent blood from clotting. Some studies even show that it has a potential for the treatment of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

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In Asian countries,Is Ginger Good for Heart Patients Articles ginger has long been used as not only a delicious spice but also as a natural treatment for various diseases. It’s been a part of many herbal remedies for centuries. Nowadays, modern medicine has also turned its attention to this amazing plant. Scientists believe that ginger root can reduce the chances of developing some heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and even heart attack or stroke.

Ginger root contains a variety of vitamins (vitamin C, E, B6, B3, B1, K, foliate, choline, pantothenic acid) and minerals (potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorous, calcium, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium). It’s commonly known that magnesium and potassium are among the minerals most important for the heart – they improve blood flow, normalize heart rhythm and increase cardiac muscle endurance. Therefore, adding ginger root to your diet can be an additional source of these vital elements.

In 2004, a double blind clinical trial study was carried out to explore the effect of ginger on the blood lipid levels. The results of this research were issued in 2008 and showed that patients who received capsules with ginger had significantly decreased levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, low density and very low density lipoproteins in their blood. Thus, researchers came to a conclusion that the substances contained in ginger root have a marked lipid lowering effect and therefore ginger can be beneficial for the prevention of such serious cardiovascular disease as atherosclerosis. Another study issued in 2005 suggested that it could help patients suffering from hypertension by blocking the voltage-gated calcium channels, which results in blood pressure lowering.

Researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center have found out that ginger can also prevent blood clotting. Decreased blood cholesterol levels and reduced blood clotting induced by ginger can be helpful to those patients who suffer from cardiovascular diseases associated with clogged blood vessels, which can lead to a heart attack or cerebrovascular accident.    

Precautions

Having beneficial effects for heart patients, ginger, however, can cause some unwanted adverse reactions in people with certain heart disorders.

  • Being able to lower blood pressure, ginger should be avoided by those who are already taking any anti-hypertensive drugs as it can lead to an overdose and raise the risk of dangerous decrease in blood pressure and irregular heartbeats.
  • Having an anticoagulant effect, ginger can increase the risk of bleeding in those who are already taking anticoagulants like aspirin, warfarin, etc.