Smoothie time

No time for Breakfast, No problem. 

All the goodness blended together, containing Ginger and Tumeric. Awesome combination of  Health Benefits while on the go. 

Recipe quoted from Lively Table

MANGO GINGER TURMERIC SMOOTHIE

A delicious, nutrient-packed smoothie filled with mango, oats, ginger and turmeric. It makes the perfect quick breakfast!

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 smoothie

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup mango cubes (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt
• 1/2-in piece of ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 3/4 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
• 3-4 ice cubes (if using fresh mango)
• Honey to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender.
2. Enjoy right away.

Gingerlicious Recipe Summer Pear Ginger Smoothie

Christmas time is almost knocking on our Front Doors. Depending on where you live in the world. You will either be enjoying a Snowy Climate or a Warm Sunny one.    If you are fortunate to have warm Sunny Weather. Try this fantastic recipe to add a little Zing to your fabulous day.

Recipe quoted from Recipe Runner.

PEAR GINGER SMOOTHIE

  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 heaping cup diced frozen pears
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• Honey to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract            
• INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Ginger is an important part of fighting Cancer.

We all know about and have eaten some ginger during our lifetimes. It’s a sweet, aromatic root with a pungent and hot taste. Some people enjoy drinking it as a tea, some eat it with sushi, and others enjoy it as candy. Ginger the rhizome (otherwise known as the underground stem of the plant Zingiber officinale) is a common food ingredient that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide variety of conditions.

Practitioners most commonly use ginger to treat conditions related to digestion: nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, and motion sickness. To this day, many people grow up sipping ginger ale when sick with a stomach bug. Clinical studies have shown ginger to be helpful for nausea during pregnancy, and it is one of the safest natural therapies for this type of condition. In fact, it is the only natural product — which is actually a food — that even conventional medicine recommends and has given an “approved use” stamp for nausea in pregnancy, as all other medications have side effects that are harmful to mother and baby.

Ginger contains nutrients that have good spasmolytic properties, which is just a way to say that ginger micronutrients soothe and relax the intestines. Doctors commonly recommend ginger to patients who have undergone intestinal surgery, as it also confers great protection against infections. Ginger helps aid many anti-inflammatory problems that occur in smooth muscles or even in the skeletal muscles.

People use ginger not only for GI troubles but also for arthritis, the common cold and flu, painful menstruation symptoms, headaches, and even various cancers. As of the writing of this book, there are more than 2,400 studies on the various benefits of ginger published in the scientific literature.

Ginger: Activities and Actions

Ginger has been shown to have the following properties: [1]

• Immunomodulatory (strengthens the immune system)
• Antitumorigenic (prevents tumors development)
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiarthritic
• Antihyperglycemic (prevents elevated blood glucose)
• Antihyperlipidemic (prevents elevated blood lipids)
• Antiemetic actions (prevents nausea and vomiting)
• Chemopreventive actions (helps prevent cancer growth when consumed frequently)

Some of the most studied actions of ginger are its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of NF-kB, COX-2, and 5-LOX (the major pathways and switches of inflammation mentioned previously). Ginger also has been shown to protect against cancers and to demonstrate a chemoprotective effect, meaning it protects the body from the side effects of chemotherapy. Some characteristics of ginger’s actions include the following: [2]

• Induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells
• Inhibits IkBa kinase activation (upregulates apoptosis)
• Upregulation of BAX (a proapoptosis gene)
• Downregulation of Bcl-2 proteins (cancer associated)
• Downregulation of prosurvival genes (anti-apoptotic) Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, and Survivin
• Downregulation of cell-cycle-regulating proteins, including cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) (cancer associated)
• Increased expression of CDK inhibitor, p21 (anticancer associated)
• Inhibition of c-Myc, hTERT (cancer associated)
• Abolishes RANKL-induced NF-kB activation
• Inhibits osteoclastogenesis (type of bone cell that breaks down bone tissue to remodel and repair)
• Suppresses human breast-cancer-induced bone loss

If you or a loved one has been stricken with cancer, then you probably know the importance of all of these functions. Thus, it’s easy to see that ginger can play an important role in regulating not only inflammation but also various signals that affect cancer cells.

Ginger and its constituents have been shown to inhibit the following cancers: [3]

• Breast cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer
• Stomach cancer

To demonstrate just how important ginger can be to helping eliminate cancers, let’s look at one example: ovarian cancer.

In ovarian cancer, there are usually some indicators of the inflammation, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-8, and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2). Ginger extracts have been shown to greatly decrease these inflammatory markers in ovarian cancer patients. [4] Thus not only can it be taken as a tea or food to help warm someone who may feel cold or have nausea (especially those being treated with chemotherapy), but ginger also has a beneficial effect for those with serious health conditions like ovarian cancer.

Another interesting aspect of ginger is its hypoglycemic effect against enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes. Anyone who has diabetes or even mild insulin resistance can enjoy this added benefit of ginger; it is not harmful to those who are taking diabetes medication. Instead, it may improve overall glucose control. In addition, keeping blood glucose in the lower/normal range is optimal for those with cancer, even if they do not have diabetes.

To sum up, ginger is a strong antioxidant that can help with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and even cancers. 

Thanks to 

Dr. Sunil Pai

Sunil Pai, M.D., is an expert in Integrative Medicine.

Mar 19-25 National Poison Prevention Week

Treating Food Poisoning Naturally.

Author Racheal Frances

Food poisoning is caused primarily by improper and unhygienic handling of food—which can breed and spread harmful bacteria. Many thousands of cases of supposed flu are actually food poisoning cases demonstrating similar symptoms like abdominal pain and fever.

Disease-causing bacteria are most commonly found in meats, seafood and dairy products, though we have also seen outbreaks of contamination in lettuce, melons, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as a limited number of packaged and prepared foods. Experts believe that disease-causing bacteria can never be fully eradicated from the food chain, and there is widespread agreement that bacterial food contamination is on the rise—representing a major threat to public health.

When you are suffering from food poisoning, your body is likely to lose more water than normal.   Hence, consuming a good intake of fluids and avoiding solid food becomes the initial plan of action.  Rather than rushing to your doctor immediately, you can start your treatment at home with some readily ingredients that could be found in your own kitchen. Fortunately, there are fast-acting home remedies that can stop a bout of food poisoning in its tracks.

1. Ginger



For thousands of years, ginger has been used for the treatment of innumerable ailments due to its powerful therapeutic and preventive effects. Ginger improves absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients and aids in digestion. Hence, it works as a quick remedy for nausea and vomiting, thereby giving you instant relief.

To use this remedy, make some Ginger Tea by boiling one teaspoon grated ginger with a cup of water for a few minutes, add a little sugar or honey to it for sweetness.

Another option is to add a few drops of ginger juice to one teaspoon of honey and swallow it several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain.

Quick Tip: You can also eat raw ginger slices as an option.

World Kidney Day 8 March

The Benefits of Ginger to Kidney Function

Ginger is a nutrient-rich spice widely eaten fresh and as a ground powder. It’s commonly used in herbal medicine as well. The slightly sweet, warm and citrus-like flavor adds a unique taste to everything from soups to tea, and it’s loaded with nutrients your body uses to maintain health, including kidney health. Ginger's nutritional profile makes it an excellent addition to your diet.

Diet Influences Kidney Health

Your overall diet plays a vital role in keeping you healthy and keeping your organs, including your kidneys, functioning properly. A nutritious diet reduces your risk for kidney malfunction. On the flip side, making poor food choices significantly increases the risk that you will develop kidney disease in the future, warns a study the American Journal of Kidney Disease published in 2013.

If you have kidney disease, following a nutritious diet that supports kidney function is well known to help slow, or in some cases even halt, the decline in kidney function.

Packed With Antioxidants

Most South Africans fail to eat enough fruits and vegetables, causing them to miss out on some antioxidant benefits. Incorporating ginger into your diet is a simple and convenient way to boost your antioxidant intake, but it shouldn’t replace the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables you need each day.

The antioxidants in ginger and other fruits and vegetables help neutralize unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules cause inflammation and damage to cells and tissues, including your kidneys, when your antioxidant intake is insufficient. Eating a diet too low in antioxidants increases oxidative stress in patients with kidney disease, reported the Journal of Renal Nutrition in 2012. The researchers concluded that it may be helpful to increase your antioxidant intake if you have kidney disease, since oxidative stress has a negative impact on kidney function.

Lowers Blood Sugar

High blood sugar levels damage your blood vessels and organs. Your kidneys are particularly at risk when blood glucose remains elevated. For this reason, kidney damage is a significant risk factor if you have diabetes.

Powdered ginger can improve blood sugar control, according to a study published in the Iran Journal of Pharmaceutical Research in 2015. Supplementing ginger significantly lowers fasting blood sugar and improves A1C -- a measurement of long-term glucose control -- in people with type 2 diabetes, according to the results. Ginger may also help reduce the risk of diabetes complications, such as kidney damage, researchers concluded.

Thank you to Janet Renee for posting the above information related to Ginger and Kidney Health. 

 

Question Ginger

Ginger

Lots of Questions revolve around a little root Commonly know as Ginger. From History etched in forgotton times till today's most modern of Kitchens. This warming root is good for your Health and Soul.  From warming of the body to helping to fend off feelings of being unwell.   Nausea symptoms decrease, aids to improving blood flow in the body.

Ginger eaten in various forms: sweets, bottled balls of Ginger, Diced, Grated, Cubed Blocks of Ginger give the body a little boost when eaten. Bring into your daily routine a bit of Ginger and see the difference in your Health Today.

South African Stockists

As the Ginger enjoyment grows in momentum, Just Ginger Confectionary is proud to announce to all our fans that the following Stockists will be stocking our ranges of Gingerlicious, Gingerbon and Sina Sugar Free Ginger products. Pop into you local store in South Africa to find our products in store. Currently catering for the Health Conscious Customer who is looking for the Healthier option when snacking.

Introducing our new product. Gingerbon Ginger SUSU sucking sweets.   Available in 100g packets. All the enjoyment found in a Gingerbon with the added benefit of being able to suck it instead of chewing the sweet.    Great to use when needing a little pick me up or even when a sore throat starts.

To follow us on Social Media, visit the following pages.

On Facebook
@JustGingerSouthAfrica
@gingerconfectionary

On Twitter
@JustGingerConf1

Gingerlicious

 Valentines Day

We may love the day, we may not.    All the Valentine motivators and shakers who enjoy spoiling their loved one/s on Valentines Day. A treat of Gingerlicious proportions.    Spicy and warming Dark Chocolate enrobing a Ginger cube . Very delectable and gives the feeling of satisfication after each Morish Chocolate Ball.

Grab a bag or two today from all Local stores in South Africa, Dischem,Food Lovers Markets, Spars, Pharmacies, Healthshops

Valentines Freebie

At Just Ginger Confectionary South Africa

We would like to spoil all our customers coming up to Valentines day. We are giving you our valued reader of our blogs a beautiful E- recipe book with our compliments. To receive your free copy. Email michellegingersa@gmail.com and we will send you a copy.  Valid till 14/2/2018

Feb 4-11 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

Cardiovascular Benefits of Ginger

It is believed that ginger can reduce the risk of some cardiovascular diseases. A double- blind clinical trial was conducted in 2004 where the main aim was to investigate the effect of ginger on the levels of lipids in blood. The results were published in 2008.¹

Patients with hyperlipidemia were divided into two groups:

-       Treatment group of 45 patients received capsules with ginger in three divided doses, 3 g per day;

-       Placebo group of 40 patients received capsules with lactose using the same treatment regime as those from the first group.

The study lasted for 45 days and once it was completed, the lipid concentration profiles of the patients were measured and compared to those measured before the treatment. The results showed that the patients who received ginger capsules had a considerable reduction in cholesterol, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein. Therefore, as ginger had a noticeable lipid lowering effect, it might play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.  

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger can also prevent blood from clotting. The lowered level of cholesterol and reduced blood clotting caused by ginger can be beneficial for those people who have heart conditions where blood vessels become clogged and which may lead to stroke or heart attack.

Precautions and Interactions

Once taken, ginger firstly influences the mucous membrane of the stomach. If it is irritated, has erosions or ulcers, ginger will undoubtedly increase this inflammation. That is why it should not be taken if the person has gastritis, peptic or duodenal ulcers or any erosive disorders of the intestine.

Although ginger root can be beneficial for some cardiovascular diseases, it may also provoke side effects in people with certain heart disorders. Ginger can interact with certain types of medications:

-       Keeping in mind that ginger can lower blood pressure, it should be avoided by those patients who are already on any anti-hypertensive medications because it can cause overdose and thus raises the risk of irregular heartbeats and dangerous drop in blood pressure.

-       Those patients who are on diabetes medications should not use it, as ginger is known to lower blood sugar, thus, it raises the risk of developing low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

-       Having a blood thinning effect, ginger increases the risk of bleeding in patients who take blood-thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel.

Even though ginger is an herb and not a pharmaceutical substance, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before using ginger for therapeutic purposes.

References:

1. Alizadeh-Navaei R, Roozbeh F, Saravi M, Pouramir M, Jalali F, Moghadamnia AA. Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial. Saudi Med J. 2008 Sep;29(9):1280-4.

Ginger Info for Diabetic Patients.

Over seven percent of South African adults now live with diabetes. Unfortunately, those numbers continue to rise. Although diabetes can be tough to live with, imbalanced blood sugar is just the beginning for those who do not actively improve their health, as diabetics increase their risk of a heart attack, stroke and cancer.

For years, researchers have tested a range of natural compounds, looking for a way to effectively treat diabetic patients and, hopefully, one day cure this condition. Whether you currently have diabetes or would simply like to improve your health, ginger has now been shown to better control fluctuating blood sugar levels.

One Study, all of the participants had been living with type 2 diabetes for a minimum of ten years. Each day, these individuals were either given a placebo or a one-gram capsule of ginger powder. After eight weeks, those who took the ginger experienced a significant decrease in blood sugar.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure how ginger works to lower blood sugar, but they believe it may involve a specific enzyme. When consuming ginger, you inhibit this enzyme known as hepatic phosphorylase, which normally breaks down glycogen, or stored glucose. For those who take blood thinners, please speak with your doctor before trying this tonic.

Make your own: 

• 1 3-inch piece of ginger
• Cinnamon stick

Combine ginger with the cinnamon stick. Boil for two to three minutes, allowing to steep until cool. Drink two to three times daily.

Memory and Attention

Brain and Mental Health

Ginger has traditionally been used to treat memory loss and dementia. Research shows it enhances a wide variety of other cognitive functions besides memory. When healthy middle-aged adults were given dried ginger supplements, they showed improvements in working memory, reaction time, and attention.Ginger may even protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease. Bioactive compounds found in ginger increase activity of Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning and memory.

 Ginger Increase Brain Levels of important Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals used by brain cells to communicate with each other.They control your ability to focus, concentrate, and remember, and regulate mood, cravings, addictions, sleep, and more.Ginger increases levels of these important brain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is considered the “motivation molecule” that helps you get focused and be productive.It’s also in charge of your pleasure-reward system.Serotonin is your “happiness molecule” that is critical for keeping up a positive mood.

Ginger’s many antioxidants protect the brain from free radical damage.

Free radicals are unattached oxygen molecules that are a natural byproduct of metabolism, but overproduction leads to inflammation, premature cell aging, and can even damage cells down to the level of their DNA.The brain is particularly susceptible to free radical damage since it uses a lot of oxygen.Free radicals are caused by everyday occurrences such as stress, lack of sleep, grilled meat, fried food, air pollution, and radiation from your cell phone and computer.

Ginger is rich in two groups of antioxidants, shaogals, and gingerols, that safeguard the brain from damaging free radicals.The antioxidants in ginger also protect the brain from damage and improve memory loss after a stroke.Ginger shields the brain against the neurotoxic food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG). Another way ginger enhances brain health is by protecting important glial cells. Glial cells help protect neurons and remove metabolic debris and toxins that contribute to Alzheimer’s.Ginger, as well as green tea, fatty fish, and blueberries, help keep glial cells safe from damage. One of ginger’s most widely regarded uses is as an anti-inflammatory which makes it popular for arthritis treatment. Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor to seven of top ten leading causes of death, including Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic inflammation of the brain can lead to anxiety, ADHD, brain fog, depression, and memory loss.

Healthier you, eat Ginger everyday. 

Lemon and Ginger

Lemon and Ginger

From being a lovely taste combination to increasing metabolism and burning more calories. Ginger is packed with so many health benefits.

Lets focus a little on why Lemon is good for you.

Lemon has energy boosting properties, immune boosting properties, antioxidant properties and stimulates metabolism. Lemon also is known to increase insulin resistance and reduce the level of fat in the body. Rich in Vitamin C. Lemon improves blood flow to the heart. Helps to reduce blood clots.Lemon is essential to good Heart Health.

Ginger can lessen the symptoms of Nausea,Vomiting and Indigestion. Ginger when eaten can increase satiety and reduce the feeling of hunger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase cognitive function.Consuming Ginger Daily reduces the onset of Alzheimer's.

With the change in Weather, if you are the type who is prone to getting sick easily eat some Lemon with Ginger to improve your immunity against colds and flu. If you are concerned about the state of your Liver, eat combination of Lemon and Ginger, This combination increase the function of the Liver thereby keeping your Liver healthy.

Visit your local stockist today to purchase your packet of Sina Sugar Free Lemon Ginger Candy.

Local stockists: Dischem, Food Lovers Markets, Pharmacies, Spar and Health Shops.

Sugar Free Sweetener Maltitol

What is maltitol?

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables. They’re also considered carbohydrates.

Sugar alcohols are typically manufactured rather than being used in their natural form. They’re sweet, but not quite as sweet as sugar, and have almost half the calories. They are usually used in baked goods, candy, and other sweet items. They can also be found in some medications. Besides adding sweetness in place of sugar, maltitol and other sugar alcohols help keep food moist, and help prevent browning.

When you’re checking labels, be aware that maltitol may also be listed as sorbitol or xylitol. It’s sometimes even listed just as sugar alcohol, since it falls under this category.

Benefits of maltitol

Maltitol allows you to get a sweetness that is close to that of sugar, but with not as many calories. For this reason, it can help with weight loss.

It also doesn’t have the unpleasant aftertaste that other sugar substitutes tend to have. This can help you to stick to a lower calorie diet if you are trying to lose weight or manage diabetes.

Another benefit is that maltitol, and other sugar alcohols, don’t cause cavities or tooth decay like sugar and other sweeteners do. This is one reason they are sometimes used in gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste.

Many people are trying to reduce their sugar intake, for reasons such as weight loss and diabetes. Maltitol and other sugar alcohols can be appropriate alternatives.

But it’s important that you discuss eating items containing maltitol with your doctor and dietitian, if you have diabetes. They’ll be able to determine if it’s the best sugar alternative for you. They can also help you figure out the best amount to consume, so that you avoid the unpleasant side effects.

The best thing is to be informed and read labels. Don’t assume that when a product says sugar-free that it’s calorie-free. Depending on the type of sweetener used, it may still have calories and a glycemic index that will affect your weight loss goals or conditions like diabetes.

Maltitol syrup, a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, is created by hydrogenating corn syrup: a mixture of carbohydrates produced from the hydrolysis of starch; this product contains between 50% and 80% maltitol by weight. The remainder is mostly sorbitol, with a small quantity of other sugar-related substances.

Is maltitol syrup safe for diabetics?

Because it is no longer considered sugar, maltitol can be added to things like candy and other desserts to make them “diabetes friendly.” The makers can claim their product is sugar free. Sugar alcohols are popular because they have no bitter aftertaste like most other artificial sweeteners.

Visit your nearest stockist to purchase a pack of Sugar Free  Ginger Candy today.

Stockist: Dischem , Food Lovers Markets, Pharmacies , Selected Spars and Health Shops. 

A Yummy Idea

When one thinks of giving a present to a friend. A few things come to mind. Will my friend enjoy the gift? Will my friend keep the gift and use it for themselves or will they re-gift. No Joke, this does happen. When it comes to giving chocolates as a gift. Consider the benefit of giving a healthier option.

Ginger Lovers Chocolate contains Dark Chocolate enrobing a Ginger Cube. Ginger is warming with awesome health benefits. The awesome combination of dark chocolate and Ginger compliment each other. Warming to the body and yummy. Perfect gift idea .

Enjoy on its own or share with a friend.

Halaal friendly

Want to visit your local store to find Ginger Lovers Chocolate. Go to any Dischem , Food Lovers Markets, Independant Pharmacy , selected Spars and Healthshops Nationally.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger has aphrodisiac effect: A natural aphrodisiac, Ginger may be a healthier, natural substitute to Prescription Meds. Drink hot as a herbal tea (by mixing ginger juice, hot water and raw honey) after a not-too-heavy meal.

 

Health benefits of Ginger - Anti-Coagulant

                      Health benefits of Ginger

Ginger is an anti-coagulant: Ginger reduces the stickiness of blood platelets, which in turn reduces your risk of stroke. Add fresh to your cooking or add a teaspoonful of young ginger juice in your beverages to enjoy the anticoagulant properties.