Ginger and the Candida Diet
Ginger ale soda and ginger snap cookies are two things that probably come to most of our minds when thinking about ginger. These are extremely tasty ways to consume ginger however, they are sure not the healthiest ways to consume it and consuming it like this can be very problematic for those of us following the candida diet to treat candidiasis. Candidiasis is a medical condition characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a typically benign type of yeast, in our intestinal systems. The cornerstone of treatment for this condition is the candida diet which seeks to eliminate foods which feed the Candida albicans and enable it to continue to grow and cause problems throughout the body. Ginger ale soda and ginger snap cookies both contain ingredients that can exacerbate candidiasis, sugar probably being the worst offender. Although eating ginger via soda and cookies may not be the healthiest thing to do fresh ginger is a great addition to any diet but especially to the candida diet. Ginger has a wide variety of health benefits and its unique sweet yet spicy flavor can help jazz up many candida diet recipes.
Ginger is derived from the rhizome, the underground stem of the ginger plant. Ginger root, as fresh ginger is commonly known is covered with a tough brown skin that sort of looks like the bark of a tree. The flesh of the ginger root is most commonly a yellowish color but different varieties may be white or even red. Ginger root is very easy to find and is available year-round in the produce section of the supermarket. Ginger is the main ingredient found in many Asian dishes. Although ginger is available ground the taste of ground ginger is different from that of fresh ginger. Additionally, the ground type of ginger is thought to have less of the active ingredients responsible for ginger’s numerous health benefits.
Ginger has a wide variety of health benefits but there is one that is of particular interest to candidiasis sufferers. Candidiasis is thought to occur due to on overgrowth of yeast which eventually weakens the immune system. The immune boosting effects of ginger due to the presence of gingerrols can help strengthen the immune system and make it more equipped to handle and correct an overgrowth of yeast. Additionally, ginger can also alleviate many of the chronic systems that plague those with candidiasis. Ginger can provide relief from gastrointestinal distress, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and nausea. Several research studies have also concluded that ginger protects against and can even help treat certain types of cancer.
Although candida dieters may not be able to enjoy ginger the traditional way, via sugary soda and cookies, adding fresh ginger to your candida diet plan can be extremely beneficial to your health in many ways.
For more information, including recipes and tips on how to incorporate fresh ginger into your candida diet plan visit Yeast Free Living.