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Ginger is a root coming from the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) that serves many purposes (1). It can be used to add flavor to dishes and drinks, as well as a home remedy for nausea. While not typically consumed in large doses, ginger itself has a plethora of health benefits.
Ginger, while only small amounts are eaten at a time, is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants It is a source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and more. It is an anti-inflammatory, and has been cited to help relieve allergy symptoms, asthma symptoms, and other types of inflammation (2).
For centuries, ginger has been used as a home remedy for nausea, especially related to pregnancy and motion sickness. Ginger may also help manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels for some people.
To better understand if ginger is alkaline or acidic, first it is important to understand the pH scale. The pH scale is a range of values from 0 to 14 that are used to describe how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The number 7 represents a completely neutral pH, being neither alkaline nor acidic. As numbers decrease from 7 down to 0, the substance increases in acidity. As numbers increase from 7 to 14, the substance increases in alkalinity.
The body functions optimally at a specific pH range, so overconsuming too many alkaline or acidic foods can throw off its equilibrium. The American diet generally consists of processed, sugary, or greasy foods, so an overly-acidic diet is much more common than an overly-alkaline diet. Research continues to be conducted on the direct effects of acidic foods on the body’s pH levels, but it has been determined that the urine’s pH will decrease with an overly-acidic diet, which can lead to kidney stones.
Other symptoms that you may be eating too many acidic foods–like sugars, processed foods, meats, and dairy–include heartburn or acid reflux. In more severe cases, you may develop acidosis, a blood disease. Balancing acidic foods with alkaline foods is crucial for ensuring your body runs properly.
Ginger is an alkaline-forming food, which means that it has an alkalizing effect on the body (3). It is also known to help acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. Drinking ginger tea, for example, is a known remedy when an overly acidic diet causes heartburn (4).
As a general rule, aiming to eat more alkaline foods can help balance an acidic diet while introducing healthy vitamins and minerals to your diet. Alkaline foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Alkaline foods tend to be unprocessed and do not contain much sugar, so eating more alkaline foods has been associated with weight loss and healing the gut. Some people report having more energy after substituting some processed, acidic foods for alkaline foods.
However, some people do not want to sacrifice their regular diet or add alkaline foods to the mix. In this case, drinking alkaline drinks can help. Ginger tea, for example, can help alkaline your body. Additionally, alkaline water is a simple way to boost your body’s pH levels without an extreme diet change. While alkaline water will not provide your body with all the nutrients of alkaline foods like vegetables, it does still contain minerals that can help your body function properly.
Alkaline water can be purchased in bottle form, or it can be made easily at home. To make alkaline water at home, simply fill an alkalizing water pitcher–like those offered at Seychelle–with tap water. In minutes, your water will be filtered and alkaline.
Ginger is a root used for flavoring in foods and beverages alike. It is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals, sometimes called “alkaline minerals,” are the reason why ginger has an alkalizing effect on the body. Adding ginger to your diet, as well as other alkaline drinks and foods, can help bring your body back to equilibrium and function properly.
Does ginger alkalize the body?
Yes. Ginger has an alkalizing effect on the body.
Does ginger increase acidity?
No. Ginger actually has the opposite effect–it can be used to treat acid reflux.
What illnesses can ginger cure?
Ginger has anti-inflammatory qualities and is known to help ease symptoms of nausea.
References Cited
John Hopkins Medicine,https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits
Heather Artushin,WedMD,https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-ginger-water
California Courts,https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-12/list_of_acid-alkaline_forming_foods_-_need_print.pdf
John Hopkins Medicine,https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/gerd-diet-foods-that-help-with-acid-reflux-heartburn
