Clinical aspects and health benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in both traditional Chinese medicine and modern industry

Figures & data

Table 1. Top ten ginger producing country of the world (Dhanik et al. 2017).

No.	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	India	683,000
2	China	425,000
3	Nepal	235,033
4	Indonesia	232,669
5	Nigeria	160,000
6	Thailand	140,000
7	Bangladesh	69,000
8	Japan	57,835
9	Cameroon	46,350
10	Philippines	28,216

Table 2. Nutritional composition of ginger (per 100 g) (Sandeep 2017).

Constituent	Value
Moisture	15.02 ± 0.04
Protein (g)	5.087 ± 0.09 (5.98)
Fat (g)	3.72 ± 0.03 (4.37)
Insoluble fibre (%)	23.5 ± 0.04 (30.0)
Soluble fibre (%)	25.5 ± 0.04 (30.0)
Carbohydrate (g)	38.35 ± 0.1
Vitamin C (mg)	9.33 ± 0.08 (10.97)
Total carotenoids (mg)	79 ± 0.2 (92.96)
Ash (g)	3.85 ± 0.61 (4.53)
Calcium (mg)	88.4 ± 0.97 (104.02)
Phosphorous (mg)	174 ± 1.2 (204.75)
Iron (mg)	8.0 ± 0.2 (9.41)
Zinc (mg)	0.92 ± 0 (1.08)
Copper (mg)	0.545 ± 0.002 (0.641)
Manganese (mg)	9.13 ± 0.01(10.74)
Chromium (µg)	70 ± 0 (83.37)

All value in this table represent the mean ± SD (n = 4).

Figures in the parenthesis represent the dry weight values (Shirin Adel and Prakash 2010).

Table 3. Nutritional profile of ginger (100 g) (Singh et al. 2017).

Types of nutrient	Examples of nutrient	Amount
Protein	–	1.8 g
Water	–	78.9 g
Phyto-sterols	–	15 mg
	Total carbohydrate	18 g
Carbohydrates	Dietary fibre	2 g
	Sugar	1.7 g
	Total fat	750 mg
	Saturated fat	203 mg
Fats and Fatty acids	Monounsaturated fat	154 mg
	Polyunsaturated fat	154 mg
	Omega-3 fatty acids	34 mg
	Omega-6 fatty acids	120 mg
	Vitamin C	5 mg
	Vitamin E	260 mcg
	Vitamin K	0.1 mcg
	Thiamin	25 mcg
Vitamins	Riboflavin	34 mcg
	Niacin	750 mcg
	Vitamin B6	160 mcg
	Folic acid	11 mcg
	Pantothenic acid	203 mcg
	Choline	28.8 mg
	Calcium	16 mg
	Iron	600 mcg
	Magnesium	43 mg
	Phosphorous	34 mg
Minerals	Potassium	415 mg
	Sodium	13 mg
	Zink	340 mcg
	Copper	226 mcg
	Manganese	229 mcg
	Selenium	0.7 mcg

Table 4. Active chemical constituents of ginger (Kathi 1999).

Phenols	Volatile
	Sesquiterpenes	Others
Gingerols and Shogoals	Bisapolene, Zingiberene, Zingiberol, Sesquiphellandrene, Curcurmene	6-dehydrogingerdione, Galanolactone, Gingesulfonic acid, Zingerone, Geraniol, Neral, Monoacyldigalactosylglycerols, Gingerglycolipids

Figure 1. Structure of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol and 6-shogaol (Zick et al. 2010).

Table 5. The most important benefits of ginger.

Relieves nausea

Treats cold and flu

Removes excess gas

Aids in proper digestion

Reduces arthritis pain

Stomach ulcers

Liver protection

Relives asthma

Prevents obesity

Improves cognition

Prevents cancer

Relieves muscle pain

Prevents menstrual cramps

Controls diabetes

Boosts heart health

Prevents infection

Detoxifies the body

Skin care

Treats diarrhoea

Increases sexual activity

Improves brain function

Regulates blood sugar

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