Ginger and honey are known not only for their great taste but also because they carry an array of health benefits.

Incorporating more honey and ginger into your diet can help you in a number of ways! 

It’s important to find natural ways to keep our bodies in better physical health since keeping our health in check directly affects our daily lives both physically and mentally. Luckily, using more honey and ginger is easy and enjoyable, but what exactly is it about these two foods that makes them so helpful in promoting better health? We wanted to share the ways that ginger and honey can help alleviate some difficulties your body faces and how to take active steps to better your health! Here are some properties that ginger and honey have: 

1. Relieving Respiratory Problems

Ginger is a type of rhizome which is very similar to a root and possesses a lot of properties to aid in reducing the inflammation in lungs! In fact, it is extremely useful for those that suffer from COPD in reducing the severity of their symptoms. Honey, on the other hand, is a great resource for anyone suffering from a cold or similar illness. The natural soothing properties of honey help to suppress coughing and ease sore throats, especially when mixed with warm milk or tea for a relaxing night’s sleep. 

2. Managing Asthma

For those that may deal with more chronic respiratory issues, such as asthma, honey can help to coat airways, reducing the pain and inflammation associated with symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Honey can also aid in breaking up mucus clogged in the lungs that make breathing difficult! Ginger, too, can aid in relieving some stress from asthma. More recent studies suggest that ginger and its properties could be beneficial in opening up airways of those that suffer from asthma, making it a natural resource that can be added to existing medication to ease symptoms.

3. Aiding Digestion

Ginger is known to help soothe upset stomachs and nausea, but why? Scientists have concluded that ginger helps to increase saliva production and maintain a stable blood pressure because of the specific nutrients it possesses. Honey aids the digestive system in a different way, acting as a probiotic and prebiotic, foods with bacteria that specifically help either the small or large intestines, to help minimize digestive pains and maintain a healthy digestive system. 

4. Reducing Heart Risks

As a natural sweetener, honey offers great cardiovascular benefits compared to other artificial sweeteners. In fact, honey is known to lower cholesterol whereas many other sugars contain toxic properties! Ginger can also help to reduce the risk of heart conditions including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and more! This is because of the number of antioxidants found in ginger such as gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and many others. 

5. Minimizing Cramp Pains

Many women know the struggle of dealing with painful cramps during menstruation. Having tried every method imaginable, finding ways to ease some of that pain gets harder and harder as time goes on. Luckily, honey and ginger can help to alleviate some of that pain! Not only can ginger help to reduce the nausea associated with dysmenorrhea, but its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate blood sugar levels keeps some of the pain of cramps at bay! As for honey, adding this sweet syrup to warm water or tea as a natural alternative to mefenamic acid, a common pain reliever similar to ibuprofen, was found to alleviate menstrual cramps at the same rate! 

How can ginger and honey be used?

So now that we’ve gone over some of the benefits that honey and ginger can bring to the table, how can these ingredients be incorporated into a regular diet? That’s easy! Since honey and ginger are both delicious on their own, they add so much flavor to a variety of drinks and dishes! We’ve gathered a few delicious recipes that use either ginger, honey, or both for you to try!

Homemade Honey Butter by Sally's Baking Addiction

Ginger and Honey Carrot Soup by Foodnetwork

Ginger-Honey Tea by Foodnetwork

Ginger Chicken at Dinner at the Zoo

We hope you enjoy this list of natural benefits of honey and ginger to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. If you tried any of the recipes we provided, make sure to let us know! For more recipes, follow us on social media and make sure to check out our weekly blog posts where we share our new favorite recipes and must-know facts about food and living a healthy lifestyle! Check out the other meal options Mealfit provides such as our Weekly Specials, Individual Meals, and other Meals by the Pound.