Medical Science

Scientists have proven the benefits of ginger for the immune system

Scientists of the Institute of Biology of Food Systems. Leibniz at the Technical University of Munich found that even a small amount of ginger puts white blood cells on high alert. The study was published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.

Gingerol is a specific plant alkaloid found in ginger root. It is thanks to him that the root has a burning taste. The TRPV1 receptor reacts to this compound in the human body, which transmits a burning sensation.

The same receptor is present on neutrophilic granulocytes. These cells make up about two-thirds of white blood cells and serve to fight off invading bacteria.

Further laboratory experiments by the research team also showed that even a very low concentration of gingerol per liter is enough to make white blood cells more active. As a result, they responded 30% more actively to a protein that mimics a bacterial infection compared to white blood cells that were not affected by gingerol.

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