The Surprising Health Benefits of Gingerbread: Spicing up your Diet | Gingerbread World (2024)

By Fay Millar

We all love gingerbread at Christmas – it conjures images of warmth, festivities, and indulgence. However, beyond its delightful taste and aromatic spices, gingerbread also offers a surprising array of health benefits. This article delves into the unexpected ways gingerbread can contribute positively to your well-being, showcasing the potential advantages of incorporating this seasonal delight into your diet.

The Ginger Factor: A Powerful Spice with Healthful Properties

At the heart of gingerbread’s goodness lies ginger, a spice that has been treasured for centuries for its medicinal properties. Ginger contains gingerol, a bioactive compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These properties can contribute to reducing oxidative stress, promoting heart health, and even potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases.

Digestive Comfort: Gingerbread’s Soothing Influence

Gingerbread’s main ingredient, ginger, is renowned for its digestive benefits. The compounds in ginger can help alleviate indigestion and bloating. In gingerbread, ginger’s presence can provide a gentle aid to the digestive process, making it a suitable choice after a hearty meal. It’s also been used to alleviate nausea, particularly in pregnancy when pharmaceutical antiemetics are out of the question.

Anti-Inflammatory Abilities: Easing Aches and Pains

The ginger in gingerbread possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties that could help soothe inflammation-related discomforts. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various health issues, such as arthritis and certain cardiovascular conditions. Consuming gingerbread in moderation could potentially contribute to managing inflammation and its associated symptoms.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Balancing the Sweetness

The Surprising Health Benefits of Gingerbread: Spicing up your Diet | Gingerbread World (2)

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health. The combination of ginger and other spices in gingerbread may aid in regulating blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. This means that enjoying a piece of gingerbread might have a less pronounced impact on your blood sugar compared to some other sugary treats. While it’s not up there with a fresh rainbow salad, if you’re going to indulge without breaking the sugar bank, then it might as well be gingerbread.

Mind-Body Connection: The Comforting Effect

Ginger has been associated with mood-enhancing effects with some studies suggesting that its bioactive compounds might have an influence on brain health, potentially contributing to a more positive mood and reduced feelings of anxiety. The familiar and comforting flavours of gingerbread could provide a psychological boost during stressful times.

Moderation: The Key to Reaping Benefits

While the health benefits of gingerbread are promising, it’s essential to remember that moderation is key. Gingerbread, like any treat, can contain added sugars and calories. Opting for homemade versions with reduced sugar, no preservatives or alternative sweeteners can help strike a balance between indulgence and healthfulness.

Gingerbread’s delightful combination of flavours and spices isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it’s also a potential boon for your health. From its anti-inflammatory properties to its digestive benefits, gingerbread offers an unexpected array of advantages that can complement a well-rounded diet. As the holiday season approaches, consider savouring this beloved treat not only for its festive charm but also for the potential positive impact it could have on your wellbeing. Remember, a balanced and varied diet, along with an active lifestyle, forms the foundation of a healthy life, and gingerbread can be a delightful addition to that equation.

The Surprising Health Benefits of Gingerbread: Spicing up your Diet | Gingerbread World (3)
The Surprising Health Benefits of Gingerbread: Spicing up your Diet | Gingerbread World (2024)

FAQs

The Surprising Health Benefits of Gingerbread: Spicing up your Diet | Gingerbread World? ›

Surprising benefits

Can gingerbread be healthy? ›

Gingerbread's delightful combination of flavours and spices isn't just a treat for the taste buds; it's also a potential boon for your health. From its anti-inflammatory properties to its digestive benefits, gingerbread offers an unexpected array of advantages that can complement a well-rounded diet.

What are the benefits of gingerbread cookies? ›

It might ease menstrual cramps.

Cinnamon in gingerbread has been proven to relieve period pain and other unpleasant symptoms of menstruation, such as nausea and fatigue. Gingerbread cookies also contain ginger, which can be very effective against period pain when you take it at the beginning of your period.

Is gingerbread high in potassium? ›

Gingerbread also contains molasses, which is a dark, thick syrup made during the refining of sugarcane or sugar beet. Naturally sweet, molasses is also rich is vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium and antioxidants.

Does gingerbread contain ginger? ›

Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods vary, ranging from a moist loaf cake to forms nearly as crisp as a ginger snap.

What does gingerbread do to your body? ›

Surprising benefits

Research shows it may aid in digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the common cold and flu. It's also believed ginger may support weight management, help manage arthritis and may also alleviate menstrual symptoms. Molasses is another ingredient sometimes found in gingerbread.

What are some interesting facts about gingerbread? ›

5 Things You Might Not Know About Gingerbread
  • Originally gingerbread was made with honey and breadcrumbs. ...
  • Queen Elizabeth once served her guests miniature gingerbread versions of themselves. ...
  • Children could learn the alphabet using gingerbread letters. ...
  • Queen Victoria enjoyed sharing gingerbread with her dog.

Why do people eat gingerbread? ›

As a stand-alone ingredient, ginger had long been praised for its abilities to aid digestion. In the Elizabethan era, gingerbread was described as 'a kind of cake or paste made to comfort the stomach' (it was also believed to be good for flatulence and sharpening the sight!).

How do gingerbread help? ›

Helpline Gingerbread runs a Freephone helpline (0808 802 0925) offering advice and information for single parents. The confidential helpline is staffed by expert advisers who are trained to give guidance on practical matters to do with money, benefits, employment issues and family law.

What is the difference between gingerbread and ginger cookies? ›

While molasses cookies and gingersnaps are rolled into dough balls and then baked, gingerbread is rolled flat then use cookie cutters to cut your desired shape. This Gingerbread Cookie recipe is foolproof and SO easy to make.

Is ginger good for the kidneys? ›

Studies confirm ginger's kidney-healing properties. One of them concludes that “ginger provides evidence for kidney protection and reduces severity of damage” caused to kidneys.

Is ginger good for high blood pressure? ›

Human studies have shown that taking ginger supplements may reduce blood pressure. One study in more than 4,000 people found that those who consumed the most ginger — 2–4 grams per day — had the lowest risk of developing high blood pressure. Ginger is flavorful and easy to incorporate into your diet with meals.

Is ginger high in magnesium? ›

Its strong aroma and taste are due to ketones called gingerols, a primary component of the root. It is high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, micronutrients like magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, fiber, and water. It is also high in phytochemicals and polyphenols.

What is the dark history of gingerbread? ›

​Superstitions about gingerbread flourished in the 17th century. Witches supposedly made gingerbread figures, ate them, and thereby caused the death of their enemies. Dutch magistrates went so far as to declare baking or eating molded cookies illegal.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

What country is gingerbread from? ›

Gingerbread, as we know it today, descends from Medieval European culinary traditions. Gingerbread was also shaped into different forms by monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century. Lebkuchen bakers are recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm and 1395 in Nuremberg.

Do gingerbread cookies have a lot of calories? ›

1 cookie of gingerbread cookie (Subway) contains 200 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 64% carbs, 32% fat, and 4% protein. This has a relatively high calorie density, with 441 Calories per 100g.

Are ginger cookies good for digestion? ›

In addition to the wonderful flavor, ginger snaps cookies offer a range of health benefits, including aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a grab-and-go snack, these cookies are a delightful indulgence that can be enjoyed guilt-free.

How long is gingerbread safe to eat? ›

The general rule of thumb is a couple of weeks. It depends how its prepared and if you used a lot of icing. Also, gingerbread like any other bread turns stale quite fast. Eating it after 1–2 week with tea shouldn't be a problem.

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