Ask a Biochemist

WHEN AND HOW SHOULD WE TAKE RAW GINGER FOR MAXIMUM HEALTH BENEFITS?

Raw ginger works because it contains gingerol and related bioactive compounds that influence digestion, inflammation, and circulation.

But how and when you take it affects how beneficial it is.

BEST TIME TO TAKE RAW GINGER

• Morning: Helps kick-start digestion and metabolism.
• Before or after meals: Reduces bloating and aids digestion.
• At onset of cold or sore throat: Helps ease inflammation and congestion.
• During nausea or motion sickness: Small amounts can calm the stomach.

HEALTHIEST WAYS TO TAKE GINGER

1. Chew a small fresh slice (about 1–2 cm) for digestion or nausea relief.
2. Ginger tea: Crush or slice fresh ginger and soak in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Add honey or lemon if desired.
3. Ginger + honey mix: Good for cough, sore throat, and immunity.
4. Add to meals or smoothies: Keeps the benefit while making it easier to consume regularly.

SCIENTIFIC CAUTION

Too much raw ginger can irritate the stomach or cause heartburn. People on blood thinners or with stomach ulcers should take it cautiously.

BIOCHEMIST'S TAKEAWAY

Ginger works best as a regular, small daily habit, not as a one-time remedy. Consistency gives the real benefit.

©️ Ask a Biochemist ✍️

Can Fasting Reduce Excess Sugar in the Body? — A Biochemist’s Perspective

Yes, fasting can help reduce excess sugar in the body, and the science behind it is well established.

When we eat carbohydrates, they are broken down into glucose, raising blood sugar levels. Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. During fasting, the body stops receiving external glucose and begins to use up these glycogen stores, usually within 12–24 hours. As this happens, blood sugar levels fall naturally.

Fasting also lowers insulin secretion. With consistently high insulin levels (common in frequent eating and high-sugar diets), cells become insulin-resistant, allowing sugar to remain in the bloodstream. By reducing insulin exposure, fasting improves insulin sensitivity, helping cells absorb glucose more efficiently.

Once stored sugar is depleted, the body shifts toward fat metabolism, reducing dependence on glucose and limiting further sugar accumulation. This metabolic switch is one reason fasting can benefit people with excess sugar intake or early insulin resistance.

However, fasting is not a cure-all. Its benefits are strongest when combined with:

1. Reduced refined sugar and ultra-processed foods
2. High-fiber, whole-food diets
3. Regular physical activity

Fasting should be approached cautiously by people with diabetes on medication, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with eating disorders.

In summary: fasting, when done responsibly, is a powerful metabolic tool that helps lower excess sugar, improve insulin function, and restore balance to glucose metabolism.

— Ask a Biochemist 🧬