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US research adds spice to health benefit story News that the humble ginger root could inhibit the development of colon cancer cells has been welcomed by Yandina-based Buderim Ginger. The company has long tried to promote the health benefits of the spicy vegetable, their efforts receiving a boost from just-released University of Minnesota research. But general manager sales and marketing Paul Ritchie said such findings both frustrated and delighted the company. “Ginger is the most studied vegetable in the field of herbal medicine, but unfortunately we don’t have enough money to help progress the studies more quickly,” he said Buderim Ginger did participate in one such study, conducted by the Horticultural Society of Australia, which Mr Ritchie said found ginger had “amazing benefits in combating arthritis” “Ginger is made up of cellulose, water and chemical compounds… and two of these compounds, gingerol and shogaol, seem to provide most of the benefits” he said. “That study showed the compounds not only helped control the pain associated with both rheumatoid arthritis and migraines, but also reversed the inflammation.” Mr Ritchie said the company didn’t make anything specifically for the herbal medicine market, but had just released a product called ginger bears which contained fresh ginger puree and ginger oil. “We’re confident we can convey the benefits of ginger into that product, but by law we can’t make any health claims” hes said. Mr Ritchie said the Chinese had no such concerns, having promoted ginger as the “universal medicine” for more than 5000 years. By Gordon Clark, Sunshine Coast Daily, Australia. 31st of October 2003, pg 12. |
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