What are the benefits and drawbacks of eating raw ginger?

Ginger has numerous medicinal values and benefits. As the saying goes, "eat radish in winter and ginger in summer", which everyone should be familiar with. Eating ginger in summer can prevent heatstroke and cool down the body. Ginger contains substances such as citral and gingerol, which can help promote sweating and reduce body temperature, thus preventing heatstroke. Moreover, ginger also has antibacterial and detoxifying effects and can prevent motion sickness. However, there are also some contraindications for eating ginger. Let's take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of eating raw ginger below.

1. Stimulating Appetite: Eating ginger can stimulate the spleen and stomach, promoting appetite. Ginger can help stimulate the secretion of saliva, gastric juice, and digestive juices, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, and enhance appetite. Especially in summer, when the weather is hot and the secretion of saliva and gastric juice decreases, eating ginger can effectively promote appetite.

2. Preventing Heatstroke and Cooling Down: Eating ginger can help prevent heatstroke and cool down the body. The volatile oils contained in ginger, such as gingerol, gingerene, and citral, can help the body sweat and reduce body temperature, thus helping to prevent heatstroke. Additionally, the gingerol and resins in ginger can also help stimulate and refresh the mind.

3. Killing Bacteria and Detoxifying: Eating ginger can help kill bacteria and detoxify. Certain components in ginger can act similarly to antibiotics, helping to alleviate symptoms of acute gastroenteritis caused by ingesting food contaminated with bacteria. In addition, rinsing the mouth with ginger decoction can also help relieve oral inflammation.

4. Preventing Motion Sickness: Eating ginger can help prevent motion sickness, as well as nausea and dizziness. Eating ginger about half an hour before traveling or holding a piece of ginger in your mouth during the trip can be effective. Some people also apply ginger slices to the Neiguan acupuncture point to help prevent motion sickness.

5. Treating Colds: Eating ginger can help treat colds. Especially for wind-cold type colds, boiling ginger slices in water or making ginger soup can help increase blood circulation, dispel cold, and eliminate wind-cold from the body.

6. Preventing Diseases: Eating ginger can also help prevent the occurrence of diseases. For example, ginger can help lower cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Additionally, ginger can help eliminate free radicals in the body, prevent the destruction of organ tissues, delay aging, and enhance the body's resistance.

1. Inducing Liver Cancer: Ginger contains a certain amount of safrole, and long-term excessive consumption of ginger can easily increase the risk of liver cancer. Additionally, eating rotten ginger can easily lead to the ingestion of toxins, affecting the liver's detoxification function, and in severe cases, can lead to the occurrence of liver cancer.

2. Exacerbating Constipation: Eating ginger can easily exacerbate constipation in individuals who already have constipation. Constipation is often caused by intestinal heat, and ginger, a spicy and warm food, can lead to an increase in body heat and worsen constipation.