There’s nothing else quite like ginger. In many recipes, you can swap sugar for honey, butter for shortening, and soy sauce for tamari, but it’s near impossible to mimic ginger’s distinctive blend of spiciness and sweetness. Beyond being a delicious addition to both savory and sweet dishes, ginger also delivers a range of health benefits.
In terms of preparation, however, there is always a bit of a controversy over this root. Namely, to peel or not to peel?
That is indeed the question. The ginger root itself is knobby, unwieldy, and generally resistant to any easy peeling solution. Some people use a vegetable peeler, others use a cheese grater, and some even swear by the end of a spoon. But here’s an idea: It may not be necessary to peel your ginger at all. In fact, it might be better for your health to leave it unpeeled.
Here’s a look at the benefits of ginger and, perhaps more importantly, ginger peel.
What are the health benefits of ginger?
Are you looking to give your digestive system a little relief? Or maybe you’re hoping to soothe your arthritis. How about a little memory boost? The sheer breadth of ginger’s health benefits is truly amazing. Here’s a rundown of some of the positive impacts this magical root can have on your body. In all cases, side effects from ginger are essentially nil, so there’s no need to worry about excess consumption.
Nausea: Ginger tea can be a go-to remedy for an upset stomach, and cancer patients have found it especially effective in battling chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Indigestion: This root can speed up the rate at which food passes through your stomach, in turn resolving many digestive problems.
Lower blood sugar: Ginger improves your body’s ability to regulate insulin, making it a particularly helpful spice for people with type 2 diabetes.
Antioxidants: This spice contains gingerol, a powerful antioxidant compound that can help with everything from brain health to inflammation.
Why should I leave the ginger peel on?
First, it’s important to stress that ginger peel is in no way harmful to the body. As long as you wash your ginger first, you have nothing to worry about from a health or safety standpoint. To peel or not to peel is a matter of preference, not edibility.
However, there are a handful of benefits to keeping the peel on, one being that it saves time and energy. Peeling ginger is a labor-intensive process, so why do it if you don’t have to? Further, ginger peel provides the same host of health benefits that the rest of the root provides. By peeling away the skin, you’re taking away key nutrients that would have otherwise ended up on your plate.
You may be wondering whether leaving this woody peel on the root will alter the flavor or texture of your meal. Luckily, the ginger skin is so thin that it’s hard to even detect in the final product. This is especially true given that this spice is often finely minced in most recipes, so you wouldn’t be able to tell the root from the skin in the first place. After all, it’s not like anyone is eating whole ginger root like an apple. Even if you choose to cut it into coins or larger slices, the skin is still thin enough that its impact on flavor and texture is minimal, if anything.
Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing, and the most efficient action is the one not taken. So save yourself some time and aggravation by putting away the paring knife and embracing the peel of the ginger root. You’ll never notice it’s there, and you’re sure to thank us for the tip when your prep time is cut in half.
BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.
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