Ginger gets competition: As effective galanga against colds effect

From the galangal belongs to? No? No wonder, because the root is an unknown Newcomer in the super food range. Closely related to ginger and turmeric the tuber, however, brings lot of health Benefits.

Galangal is native to southern Asia. The term refers to the root of plants from the Zingiberaceaen-family (ginger family). The most common kind of Alpinia officinarum is used, also “real” galangal is called.

In the Indonesian, Chinese or Thai cuisine, galangal is one of the traditional spices, and you can stir as a fresh root or as a powder in stews, curries or soups.

Due to its healthy properties, it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Ayurvedic application.

Little bulb full of antioxidants

Galangal is rich in cell-protecting antioxidants. Particularly polyphenols, the apples in pomegranate and grapes occur in the root at high concentration.

In several studies it could be shown that polyphenols can have a positive impact on blood sugar levels.

Polyphenols is said to have diseases in addition, a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 Diabetes and heart. This is demonstrated by investigations with the galangal-Relatives of ginger.

The tuber was, for example, attests to an increase in cognitive abilities in middle-aged women, as well as a clearly blood-sugar lowering effect.

Also in the prevention of cancer, galangal could play an important role. In several studies, it was found that the growths of cancer, may prevent cell growth, and kill.

Responsible for the content of material Galgin is. It has been shown, for example, that Galgin can stop skin cancer is the multiplication of the diseased tissue. A further investigation shows that Galgin initiates in breast cancer, the apoptosis, i.e. the programmed cell death of infected cells.

Help against inflammations and infections

In addition, the taking effect of galangal against inflammation and infections.

The State University of New Jersey demonstrates that another in the root contained plant material, HMP, Pro-inflammatory Cytotoxins is reduced.

In an African study, it was proven that the exotic root health can kill harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

This also applies to a variety of fungi, yeasts and parasites.

Galangal boosts fertility?

In addition to all these Benefits, the root could also be for men of particular interest:

In a Danish study of 66 men with low sperm quality over a period of three months, a daily Supplement with galanga and pomegranate extract.

Result: The galanga-group had after three months, a 62 percent increased sperm motility than the Placebo patients. For them, it was 20 percent.

Although it is not clear whether the effects are due more to the root, or the pomegranate, could galangal play a crucial role for the improvement of fertility.

Galangal in the kitchen

Who wants to come into the enjoyment of galanga, seasoned with the sharp tuber on the best Asian dishes. The taste of the root einnert to ginger, it tastes a little sharper, spicier and more peppery.

To galangal in the produce section of the super markets, you can buy the tuber, either in the Asia market or the powder order online.

Sources

Ghosch, S., Rangan, L.(2013): Alpinia: the gold mine of future therapeutics, retrieved on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3646104/
Yadav, P. N./Liu, Z./Rafi, M. M.(2003): A diarylheptanoid from lesser galangal (Alpinia officinarum) mitogen inhibits proinflammatory mediators via inhibition of activated protein kinase, p44/42, and transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B, archived from the original on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12626645
Aly, Magda, M./Gumgumjee, Nehad M.(2011): Antimicrobial efficacy of Rheum palmatum, Curcuma longa and Alpinia officinarum extracts against some pathogenic microorganisms, archived from the original on 21.11.2019. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/96247
Fedder, M. D./Jakobsen, H. B./Giversen, I./Christensen, L. P./Parner, E. T./Fedder, J.(2014): an extract of pomegranate fruit and galangal rhizome increases the numbers of motile sperm: a prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blinded trial, retrieved on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25275520
Khandouzi, Nafiseh/Shidfar, Farzad/Rajab, Asadollah/Rahideh, Tayebeh/Hosseini, Payam/Me Taherif, Mohsen(2015): The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients, archived from the original on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277626/
Zeng, G. H./Lu, C. L./Zhang, W. X./Jiang, J. G.(2015): Isolation and identification of ingredients inducing cancer cell death from the seeds of Alpinia galanga, a Chinese spice, archived from the original on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25464007
Lo, C. Y./Liu, L. C./Chen, Y. T./Hseu, Y. C., Wen, Z. H./Wang, H. M.(2013): anti-melanoma and anti-tyrosinase from Alpinia galangal constituents, archived from the original on 21.11.2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24027439
Srividya A. R., Dhanabal, S. P., Misra, V. K., Suja, K. (2010): Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Alpinia officinarum, retrieved on 22.11.2019

Laura Hindelang

*The post “ginger gets competition: As effective galanga against colds effect” will be released by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.