Is Ginger a Fruit, A Vegetable, or Something Else?

Botanically speaking, ginger is a vegetable; specifically, it’s a root vegetable, and the ‘root’ is called a rhizome. Other rhizomes include turmeric, galangal, and lotus. The confusion about what ginger actually is probably comes from its culinary definition, where it is known as a spice and not a root vegetable.

Ginger is most commonly available in the root form and powder form. Ginger root’s flavor is robust and spicy with a hint of citrus, while ginger powder is milder with less of a citrus tang.

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What is the Difference Between a Fruit and a Vegetable?

As a general rule of thumb, fruits have seeds, and vegetables do not. At least in botanical terms. Tomato is technically a fruit, but it is defined and used as a vegetable in the kitchen. Fruit and vegetables can be known as one category botanically and the other in culinary terms (looking at you, avocado!) Fun, right?

What is Ginger?

A rhizome is kind of like a plant stem. It can grow both roots below ground and plant shoots above ground. They are sometimes called root stalks and are more closely related to potatoes.

Because of its strong flavor, it is mainly used to add spice or seasoning to a dish rather than eaten on its own. It is great for both sweets such as gingerbread and savory dishes like stir fry and curries. It lends itself well to drinks, too, like ginger beer.

Ginger Nutrition Facts

Amount PerCalories

% Daily Value*Total FatCholesterolSodiumPotassiumTotal CarbohydrateProtein

(USDA FoodData Central)

Potential Health Benefits and Side Effects of Ginger

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Ginger’s active compound is called gingerol. Gingerol has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect which is why you often see it marketed as a health supplement.

It is also used as a preventative for nausea, particularly for pregnancy, travel, and chemotherapy-related nausea.

Reported side effects are not common, but it can trigger heartburn in some people.

Interesting Uses for Ginger

Ginger is super versatile and can be used in a number of creative ways you may not have thought of. Why not try some of these at home?

Ginger Shots

No, not those kinds of shots; this one is the healthy kind! A popular addition to a lot of brunch restaurant menus and health food stores, ginger shots are made by juicing ginger and mixing it with other ingredients such as orange or lemon juice, turmeric, and even medicinal herbs like echinacea. Touted as a superfood, the benefits of ginger shots may be immune boosting, pain relieving, and a digestive aid. They may also reduce blood sugar levels while improving insulin sensitivity.

Spice-up Your Sex Life

For years; ginger has been used as a natural stimulant to increase libido and arousal. The purported sexual benefits of ginger include an increase in blood flow to all your important bits, as well as a boost in testosterone and an improvement in the quality of semen.

Make Some Ginger Beer

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Truly the Nectar of the Gods, ginger beer is a mostly non-alcoholic (around 0.5%) brew that is easy enough to make at home with sugar, ginger, water, lime juice, and some kind of yeast or starter culture. If the non-alcoholic part doesn’t sound like much fun, it’s also a great addition to cocktails, like a Moscow Mule.

Cozy up with a Caffeine Free Ginger Tea

A few chunks of ginger root steeped for a while in hot water makes a spicy, delicious, caffeine-free tea that still gives you a pep in your step. Add some lemon and honey, and while it might not cure the common cold, it might make you feel like it is!

Warm up with a Ginger Foot Soak

Cold? Elevate your foot bath by adding some ginger. Compared to hot water alone, the addition of ginger to a foot bath has been shown to increase the feeling of warmth in the feet. Perfect for a winter evening with a hot cup of ginger tea.

Try Ginger Oil as a Weight Loss Aid?

Ginger oil is a highly concentrated oil extracted from the root. While there isn’t much scientific evidence that it does much, a study done in mice suggested that it may help to prevent weight gain.

Other fruit vs. veggie debates

• Garlic
• Tomato
• Coconut
• Red Chili Pepper
• Pumpkin

FAQs

Are Ginger and Galangal the Same?

Ginger and galangal are from the same family, and both are rhizomes. They look incredibly similar in their root form, which can be confusing. Turmeric does too, but its color gives it away. Ginger and galangal vary in taste, with galangal being sharper and a bit more citrusy. The jury is out on whether or not you can substitute one for the other. Personally, I have used ginger in galangal recipes when I’ve confused them at the produce stall, and they’ve turned out just fine.

Is it OK to Use Ginger Every Day?

It is safe to eat ginger every day, but in some people, high doses may cause mild side effects such as acid reflux (aka heartburn), abdominal pain, and diarrhea, so don’t go overboard!

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