From pulaos to paneer, a gallop of ginger-garlic paste is added to almost every Indian dish to add more flavour to it. While store-bought ginger garlic has replaced the natural paste in most homes, this combination enhances the taste of several dishes, but did you know that it can be beneficial to your health as well? Turns out, ginger garlic offers a plethora of health benefits.

Decades of research have shown that garlic and ginger contain numerous nutritious properties. But imagine the benefits when they are combined. To understand how this paste works for your health, Health Shots reached out to Pavithra N Raj, Chief Dietitian, Manipal Hospitals, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru.

Benefits of ginger and garlic for health

Before we dive into the health benefits of ginger-garlic paste, let us first understand the benefits of these wonder ingredients separately. Here’s what you need to know.

Benefits of garlic

The diet expert explains that garlic, which is scientifically known as Allium sativum, contains a component called alliin. “This is metabolized by an enzyme alliinase to allicin, which is responsible for most of the garlic’s medicinal properties through ancient and modern history and for flavouring in cooking.” This ingredient is released when garlic is chopped or crushed. Allicin in garlic contains “anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer properties.” So, making it a great source of health benefits for you.

Benefits of ginger

Explaining the health benefits of ginger, Pavithra N Raj shares, “The health benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) are mainly due to its phenolic compounds such as gingerols and shogaols. Gingerol an active component in ginger makes it a perfect immunity booster.” It also contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in keeping several diseases at bay. Moreover, it can also protect you from infections.

Benefits of ginger-garlic paste

Separately, both ingredients contain oodles of properties that can be beneficial for your health. But those benefits proliferate when we combine the two. Here are the benefits of ginger-garlic paste you should know about, as listed by dietitian Pavithra N Raj.

1. For healthy gut function

Gingerol in ginger and alliin in garlic benefit aids digestion. Anti-inflammatory properties in these components help people with stomach, reduce diarrhea, relieve constipation, and bloating, flushes out toxins and help the body to function properly. Mixing and making a paste may also help in the functioning of the liver and bladder to remove toxins and detoxify the body.

2. Reduces risk of heart diseases

Another benefit of this combination is that it controls blood pressure and ensures the proper flow of blood. It also keeps your body warm and energetic.

3. Increases breast milk production

Ginger-garlic paste is believed to be a galactagogue, which is the main component that helps stimulate breast milk production and increase the supply of breast milk in lactating mothers.

4. Prevents cold and cough

It can help boost your immunity and keep infections at bay. Ginger contains antimicrobial properties that help kill bacteria, including salmonella. It basically works as an antiseptic both internally and topically. Some studies have also shown that because of its antimicrobial, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties it also helps fight cancer.