Ginger is great for food. However, here, we will consider the side effects of ginger, its side effects on empty stomach, when not to take ginger and who should never use it, as well as the medications that should not be taken with ginger.
Bear in mind that all of these details are given to ensure a moderate consumption of ginger. So, you don’t have to exclude ginger from your diet as a result. The only people that should avoid ginger as much as possible are the pregnant women.
Ginger side effects and who should never use it
- Excessive consumption of ginger can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea is associated with increased intestinal motility. What this means is that food runs out of the intestine too quickly. So, you have to make several runs to the toilet. The result is that you feel weak, dehydrated or restless.
- Another side effect is that your heart may begin to beat at fast and irregular paces. This is quite disturbing as it can worsen an already existing heart condition. It is for this reason that hypertensive patients should really go low when it comes to including ginger in their diets.
- Ginger could cause you to bloat or feel gassy if you take it excessively. The reason is that it affects the upper tract of the GIT. It could also cause issues like an upset stomach, problem with digestion of food, etc.
- If you have ever heard of the Oral Allergy Syndrome, you’d know that ginger only worsens it. The situation is characterized by an itchy sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tissues lining the mouth, tingling sensations in the mouth, etc.
Ginger on empty stomach side effects
Could there be ginger on empty stomach side effects? The answer could be a no and a yes. Ginger is good for the body and has proven to offer so many benefits. These benefits are even amplified when ginger is taken on an empty stomach. Check the following out;
- Ginger is very effective when it comes to the treatment of nausea. It also helps to ease the morning sickness that is associated with pregnancy.
- Ginger is a very good antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the cells and tissues of the body against damage by free radicals.
- Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, as so, it can help with conditions like arthritis.
Ginger can be taken in form of supplements, teas, powders, capsules, etc. However, when it is used excessively—even on empty stomach—you may not like the results. Issues like gassiness, congestion of the stomach, bleeding, etc., could occur.
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When not to take ginger
Ginger is a root tuber that is mostly used as an herb. In other cases, you’d hear of it being used as spice for foods, due to its sharp flavor and mildly spicy sensation. However, there are certain times or situations where it is recommended that one stay off ginger consumption. Check out the following tips on when not to take ginger;
- Ginger is contraindicated in pregnant women.
When pregnant women take ginger, there is a higher likelihood that they bleed. However, the bleeding is usually noticed when the woman is almost due for delivery.
What this means is that women who have younger pregnancies may not be at the bleeding risk if they take ginger. Either way, all should be done in moderation.
Pregnant women should always contact their physician before they include ginger in their diets. That way, they can avoid any form of pregnancy complication.
- Breast-feeding
The thing about breastfeeding is that the suckling child is affected by everything that the mother consumes. That’s why it is essential that the mother is careful of the foods that she feeds on.
The effect of ginger on suckling kids varies, and so, it is important that you also consult your health care provider to be sure ginger is safe for your child.
- Diabetes
Ginger has proven to be effective in reducing the levels of sugar in the blood. So, for someone who is on medication for diabetes, it is recommended that they consider this fact alongside.
That way, they don’t have to suffer from issues like hypoglycemia—very low blood sugar. If you aren’t too sure of the next step to take from here, you should have a chat with your physician.
- Heart conditions
Ginger has also been noted to worsen some heart conditions. The validity of this fact has not yet been ascertained, so, it may not apply to everyone.
However, it is great that you proceed with caution as regards your consumption of ginger if you have a heart condition. You could also talk to your physician for more directives.
What medications should not be taken with ginger
Another thing that you should note in this section is the presence of drug interactions. These interactions occur when one drug is taken with an entirely different drug or food.
In the case of ginger, we have a food-drug interaction. What this means is that the therapeutic effect of the drugs listed out below could be below minimal if you take ginger while you’re on them.
Sometimes, the effects could even be life-threatening—the more reason you should proceed with caution.
- Ginger should not be used with medications intended to reduce the rate at which blood clots. These drugs are known as The result of the food-drug interaction is an increase in bleeding. Examples of these anticoagulants include Warfarin, Marcoumar, Nifedipine, etc.
- Ginger interacts with Losartan. The effect of the interaction between the two is that less of the drug is absorbed into the blood. And that can lead to a reduced therapeutic effect on the side of the drug, i.e., it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.
- Antidiabetic drugs are also noted to form interactions with ginger. The result is that your blood sugar drops to a dangerously low level, leaving you at too much risk. However, it has been noted that a relatively moderate use of ginger alongside your antidiabetic drugs may be tolerable.
- The effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs is also affected by ginger. Antihypertensive drugs are Calcium channel blockers that help to reduce the blood pressure. When you take ginger alongside them, the result is that the blood pressure takes a low dip. Meanwhile, just like with antidiabetic drugs, moderate use of ginger here may not cause any serious consequence.
- Metronidazole: This drug is an antibiotic and is mostly taken to relieve stomach aches. So, when you take the drug with ginger, there is an increased absorption of the drug. Note that every drug has a corresponding side effect that it stirs up upon consumption. An increased absorption of the drug would therefore mean an increase in the magnitude of side-effects experienced.
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