Why you should keep ginger chews in your purse

When you think about your daily purse essentials, you probably think of having your phone, wallet, keys, lip balm…but have you thought about keeping something for emergencies when you’re not feeling well? Some might call it being over-prepared, but you can’t predict the next time you start to feel a little run down or under the weather. It’s the worst when you’re out of your house and unprepared to start treating your symptoms right away!  

The solution? It’s as simple as keeping a few ginger chews in your bag. Ginger is the perfect herb to keep on hand for many unpleasant occasions. Not only is it anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial, but you can also often find them as sweet-tasting ginger chews or candies. This means that your ginger stash can be part of your emergency medicine bag as well as your go-to snack option.

What’s so good about ginger chews?

Soothes nausea

Whether you’re in your first trimester of pregnancy, feeling carsick, or just eating something that has gone bad, ginger is the best remedy to keep on hand for these uncomfortable symptoms. Ginger contains active compounds that relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, blocking the body from producing more nausea-inducing chemicals. It is extremely effective and has even been recommended by doctors to help chemotherapy patients deal with nausea.

Relieves period pain

As a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, ginger can protect against the inflammatory chemicals that cause period pain. Having a small number of inflammatory prostaglandins is normal, but in the cause of extreme period cramps, there is usually an overproduction of inflammation. Ginger is one of the most studied herbs to decrease inflammation and alleviate period pain. Its effectiveness has even been compared to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve and Advil.

Reduces bloat

Have you ever felt your tummy stick out after a large meal? Feeling bloated after a big meal is common and normal, but bloat and indigestion can occur even if you are not completely full. This uncomfortable feeling of stomach distention can feel leave you feeling tight and unable to go about your daily life. Although some carbonated drinks are known to cause bloat, sometimes you don’t know the cause of your bloat until after you have already eaten.

To decrease the chances of unwanted bloat from creeping up, stock up on ginger chews. With ginger in your purse, you can rest assured that your digestion system will be running smoothly, even when you are eating unfamiliar foods at restaurants. Ginger has a calming effect that soothes the digestive tract, alleviates gas and improves blood circulation, making your bloat disappears faster.

Fight the first sign of a cold or flu

Many cold and cough medicines contain ginger as an ingredient, but why not go straight to the source? As soon as you feel your first sniffle or scratch in your throat, ginger can be used to fight the infection. Ginger chews and crystallized gingers have enough ginger content to exert their antiviral and antibacterial properties. You can also boost your immune system by opting for fresh ginger shots or sipping on hot ginger tea as soon as you suspect an illness.

Best options for ginger chews: The Ginger People Gin Gins Chewy Ginger Candy Original 128g

Best options for crystalized ginger (candy): The Ginger People Organic Crystallized Ginger 112g

Still not convinced about the benefits of ginger?

Even though you can buy ginger in capsule form, finding it in chewable or candy form is tastier. The best part of keeping ginger in your purse is that it comes in delicious options. If you tend to want to chew on gum or eat something sweet when you’re bored, ginger candies or chews can help settle that craving while providing you a boost of immune health. Since the ginger is a little spicy, it’s hard to eat more than the recommended serving!

Author

Grace Tien is a women’s health holistic nutritionist. She helps her clients optimize their nutrition habits so that they can get rid of afternoon slumps and live each day full of energy. Grace specializes in nutrition for healthy periods, you can find out more at @gracetien.ca on Instagram.