Ginger and the candida diet

Ginger ale soda and gingerbread cookies are two things that probably come to mind when we think of ginger. These are extremely tasty ways to consume ginger, however they are surely not the healthiest ways to consume it and consuming it in this way can be very problematic for those of us who follow the candida diet to treat yeast infections. Candidiasis is a medical condition characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a typically benign type of yeast, in our intestinal system. The cornerstone of treating this condition is the candida diet, which seeks to eliminate the foods that feed Candida albicans and allow it to continue to grow and cause problems throughout the body. Ginger ale sodas and gingerbread cookies contain ingredients that can exacerbate yeast infections, with sugar probably the worst offender. Although eating ginger through soda and cookies may not be the healthiest thing to do, fresh ginger is a great addition to any diet, but especially the candida diet. Ginger has a wide variety of health benefits and its unique sweet but spicy taste can help enhance many candida diet recipes.

Ginger is derived from the rhizome, the underground stem of the ginger plant. Ginger root, as fresh ginger is commonly known, is covered with a tough brown skin that looks like the bark of a tree. The pulp of the ginger root is usually yellowish in color, but the different varieties can be white or even red. Ginger root is very easy to find and is available year-round in the produce section of the grocery store. Ginger is the main ingredient found in many Asian dishes. Although ginger is available ground, the taste of ground ginger is different from fresh ginger. Also, the ground type of ginger is believed to have fewer of the active ingredients responsible for ginger’s many health benefits.

Ginger has a wide variety of health benefits, but there is one that is of particular interest to those suffering from yeast infections. Candidiasis is believed to occur due to yeast overgrowth that eventually weakens the immune system. The immune-boosting effects of ginger due to the presence of gingerrols can help strengthen the immune system and make it more equipped to handle and correct an overgrowth of yeast. Additionally, ginger can also alleviate many of the chronic systems that affect people with yeast infections. Ginger can ease gastrointestinal upset and inflammatory conditions like arthritis and nausea. Several research studies have also concluded that ginger protects and may even help treat certain types of cancer.

Although candida dieters may not be able to enjoy ginger in the traditional way, through sugary sodas and cookies, adding fresh ginger to your candida diet plan can be extremely beneficial to your health in many ways.

For more information, including recipes and tips on how to incorporate fresh ginger into your candida diet plan, visit Yeast Free Living.