You probably buy your ginger from the grocery store. It's a semi-dry root that needs to be peeled before you can grate or slice it. Generally it has a sharp flavour which can overtake the flavours of the dish if not careful. Research shows that ginger has significant healthy properties and adds a unique flavour to your cooking.
So why buy fresh ginger?
So why buy fresh ginger?
Fresh ginger is the same ginger you get at the grocery stores except it is harvested and sold fresh. Ginger at the grocery store was harvested up to a year ago. It is "aged" so it can be transported across the Pacific Ocean from Southeast Asia. Fresh ginger doesn't have the 'skin' that grocery store ginger has. It is fleshy and juicy and easy to grate and slice. The flavour is smoother and when used it enhances the flavours of the dish rather than overpowering it.
But the BIGGEST difference is that fresh ginger has WAY more health properties. Ginger is widely known to aid with indigestion and inflammation as it full of polyphenols and antioxidants. A report published by Virginia State University noted that "polyphenols are micronutrients in certain plant-based foods that are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds found in food that help ward off cell damage by “cleaning up” cell waste, called free radicals, before they can do harm. Antioxidants are found in many colorful fruits and vegetables and are released during the digestion process to travel through our bloodstream and into our cells.
But the BIGGEST difference is that fresh ginger has WAY more health properties. Ginger is widely known to aid with indigestion and inflammation as it full of polyphenols and antioxidants. A report published by Virginia State University noted that "polyphenols are micronutrients in certain plant-based foods that are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds found in food that help ward off cell damage by “cleaning up” cell waste, called free radicals, before they can do harm. Antioxidants are found in many colorful fruits and vegetables and are released during the digestion process to travel through our bloodstream and into our cells.
Free radicals are produced when our body breaks down certain foods, as well as during inflammation, exposure to radiation and consuming certain chemicals and drugs, like chemotherapy medications. The cell damage free radicals cause has been implicated in higher risks of cancer, heart disease, premature aging and a host of other chronic conditions."
You can learn more about the VSU research HERE
Amazingly, compared to aged
er found in grocery stores, fresh ginger was found to have twice as many polyphenols and up to 3 times as many antioxidants!
The conclusion - FRESH GINGER IS SOOO GOOD FOR YOU!
