How Ginger Can Help You Keep Your Fitness Resolutions

Intent.com

Now that the hype of New Year's resolutions has faded, the real work begins. Avoid injury and burnout by

keeping your muscles rested and recovered. Keep your metabolism working at its full potential naturally, and your body healthy and fit well into the new year.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been used in Ayurveda to stoke the digestive system. Due to its yang properties of warming and stimulating, it's thought to enhance the fire in the body. Everything from the digestive system to blood circulation to energizing the body internally.

Ginger for Sore Muscles:

If you don't have time for a long Epsom salt bath to soothe your muscles and mind, consider a hot cup of ginger tea after dinner or a refreshing ginger lemonade after your daily workout.

In two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, subjects were tested for muscle pain after exercising and taking 2 grams of ginger versus a placebo. The study concluded that daily supplementation with ginger reduced muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise.

Another study asked subjects to participate in exercises meant to cause muscle inflammation and pain, with one group taking ginger as a supplement and the other group a placebo. They found that muscle pain and soreness was reduced the day after in some participants taking the ginger, suggesting ginger may reduce the day-to-day progression of muscle pain.

These results are not surprising, considering ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory substances: Gingerols. Gingerols are the pungent compound present in ginger that give it many of its incredible health benefits, proving it effective in treating arthritis, nausea, and a multitude of digestive disorders.

Ginger for Metabolism:

Introducing ginger to the body can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. It can reduce feelings of hunger and enhance thermogenesis, or increase metabolism; all pluses when trying to lose or manage weight.

During winter, hot tea is a great way to introduce the benefits of ginger into your diet and system. To cool off after a hot workout, this Fresh Mint Organic Ginger Lemonade is a nice alternative:

Fresh Mint-Organic Ginger Lemonade

INGREDIENTS:

Mint leaves
1 shot cumquat or Bush lemon juice
1 shot of Agave sweetener
1 tsp. Wakaya Perfection Organic Ginger Powder
2 shots of water Ice

Pour all ingredients into shaker. Shake, and then pour into serving glass. Float lemon and serve.

Topical Treatment for Sore Muscles:

A paste or creme created from softened ginger root or ginger powder can be applied directly to sore muscles. Mix the powder or crushed ginger with a few drops of camphor oil and a little water and then apply directly to the skin. Let it sit until it starts to dry and then wipe it off.

Caring for the body naturally will keep it in balance, strong, and enable you to reach your fitness resolutions in a healthy way.

Have another favorite use or recipe for ginger? Let us know in the comments below!

Save 20% on Wakaya Ginger Powder by entering promo code: INTENT.

photo credit: Wakaya Perfection, mikebaird

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