Why Should Ginger Be Your Go-To Spice This Winter?

Ginger or Adrak, as it is popularly known, makes for one of the most important spices used in the Indian kitchen; pungent and aromatic, it has also long been widely used for its medicinal properties. Now that winter is setting in, you would need foods that warm you up and boost your immunity. Ginger has proved to be one of the most prominent staples for many home remedies. According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, the pungent root is known for its ability to settle upset stomach and alleviate nausea. Studies have shown that its volatile oils have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease the symptoms of colds and flu, headaches and menstrual pains.As per Nutritionist Dr. Simran Saini from Fortis Hospital, we recommend ginger to people with pollutant allergies, considering it helps clear off the mucus. It also helps in digestion, prevents colitis, comforts your tummy in case of any inflammation and avoids other gastric issues in the stomach. It is also known to keep your body warm, especially during winter. You should be adding more ginger in your tea, foods and wherever possible."Here are some of the reasons that will compel you to add ginger to your daily diet this winter-1. Ginger helps keep your body warmWarming up with just a cup of tea wouldn't help, but an addition of a generous amount of ginger may keep you warm and cozy. Try adding a dash of ginger in your brew as it's thermogenic properties stave off the chills, keeping your body warm.
 _{Try adding a dash of ginger in your brew​}2. Ginger helps relieve congestionThe onset of winter generally involves growth of bacterial and viral infections that may further cause allergies and congestion. Ginger's antiviral actions include stimulating macrophage activity, preventing the viruses from attaching to the cell walls, keeping you away from infections. Ginger tea will help keep you away from the cold and flu season.3. Ginger fastens digestion processWe often seek to comfort ourselves with rich and heavy foods in this dark and cold winter, and end up devouring large fat-laden meals, creamy soups and heavy desserts. All this indulging does take a toll on our digestive system. Ginger's carminative properties and its volatile oils help ease digestion and soothes the walls of our gastrointestinal tract.
 _{We often seek to comfort ourselves with rich and heavy foods in this dark and cold winter​}4. Ginger boosts immunityGinger has antibacterial properties that help support the immune system and further prevent you from falling sick with cold or flu. So, a cup of ginger tea or syrup may help you stave off any viral or bacterial infection.How to make the best out of ginger this winter?For some ginger tea all you need to is mix one teaspoon freshly grated ginger, juice of half lemon and one teaspoon honey in a mug. Add boiling water and take it at the first sign of a cold or chill, or even for a bout of  indigestion or nausea.Other method for soothing a sore throat or congestion is to make syrup of 2 teaspoon each of ginger juice, turmeric and black pepper; one teaspoon each of honey and vinegar and three tablespoon water and use as needed. An easy way to collect the juice is to grate the root and squeeze the juice from the shreds.Go ahead and add some pungent goodness of ginger to your foods and make the most of this winter season.