Ginger allergy occurs due to a reaction of the body to the intake of the spice. Its symptoms can be gastrointestinal or cutaneous. How to identify it? Here we detail it.
Spice allergies are rare. However, certain cases of allergy to ginger and other related condiments, such as turmeric have been detected .
Most of this type of reaction is characterized by triggering adverse cutaneous or gastrointestinal type processes. Only in some cases can a state of inflammation develop.
Now, when it comes to developing allergies , it is usual to become hypersensitive to some protein , as stated in an article published in the journal Pediatrics and International Child Health . 
Cow's milk and gluten in particular cause these reactions the most, but spices can also be triggers in some cases. How to recognize the ginger allergy?

How to recognize the ginger allergy?

Despite the fact that a process of intolerance is often called an "allergy", ginger allergy is characterized by its manifestation, especially at the intestinal level . The consumption of this food can cause gas, colic and diarrhea.
Even in very extreme cases anaphylaxis would be triggered, according to a case report published in The Journal of Dermatology . However, such serious reactions are not usually frequent with respect to the consumption of spices.
Similarly, it is possible that this type of allergy triggers a series of reactions at the skin level, such as irritation, redness and hives. In fact, it could cause itching in the mouth.

Ginger allergy can cause gastrointestinal symptoms or skin reactions.

It may interest you: 5 foods to improve sperm quality

Allergy prevention

Food allergy is a type of pathology that, although it can be treated, has a chronic nature. Still, a series of measures can be carried out to prevent its appearance.
For example, feeding with breast milk until the first year, and the inclusion of complementary feeding from 6 months, reduces the risk of this type of autoimmune pathologies. The excessive hygiene can also cause hypersensitivity by the agency to the meeting with a foreign substance, though not harmful.
In addition, it is recommended to carry out a varied diet , so that the digestive system meets different nutrients and gets used to its metabolism. Withdrawing certain foods from the diet may not generate an allergy, but a process of subsequent intolerance.

What to do in case of ginger allergy?

If you suspect that you have an allergy, the most important thing is to go to the specialist (allergist) to receive a clinical diagnosis. This will tell you what your degree of awareness is , and whether it is necessary to remove this product from the diet or only moderate its consumption.
From there, it is necessary to assess the risk that anaphylaxis may occur if it comes into contact with the allergen in question. This turns out to be an extreme and rare situation, especially in the case of ginger allergy.
However, it may be advisable to avoid some culinary spices if you suffer from this pathology. In this way, you will save gastric and intestinal problems.

To avoid a ginger allergy it is best to avoid consuming the spice. It may even be necessary to avoid other varieties such as turmeric.

Ginger allergy, a rare case

Despite the fact that it is possible to develop an allergy to almost any substance, culinary spices are not usually related to this type of pathology. Despite this, ginger is capable of causing hypersensitization reactions in certain people. Early diagnosis is important to avoid complications in this regard.
It should be remembered that life habits are capable of promoting the development of these situations. The absence of breastfeeding or an unbalanced intestinal flora can generate allergies and intolerances in the medium and long term.
As it is a chronic problem, the best solution is to reduce or restrict the consumption of the food in question. You may even need to avoid other spices in its family, such as turmeric.
From this, it is best to adopt a varied and complete diet from a nutritional point of view. In fact, it is advisable to try probiotic supplementation in order to improve the symptoms. Of course, all under medical supervision.

Ginger allergy: how to recognize it?

The role of zinc in the functions of the immune system has been studied in recent years. For this reason, its consumption is currently recommended to improve the body's response to infectious agents.
Zinc is one of the essential minerals that contribute to the strengthening of the immune system. In general, ensuring proper nutrition is crucial for the body to respond to infectious agents 
Regarding this, a study published in the Nutrients magazine highlights that vitamins (such as A, B6, B12, C, D and E) and minerals (selenium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper) complement the action of the immune system .
The insufficient consumption of these nutrients is common, which causes a higher incidence of infections and their respective consequences. In this particular case we are going to see what role zinc plays and how to optimize its intake. 

The role of zinc in strengthening the immune system

First, acute respiratory infections, such as seasonal influenza epidemics and the recent COVID-19 outbreak, are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
The World Health Organization estimates that seasonal influenza causes 3 to 5 million serious illnesses requiring hospitalization and cause high rates of deaths worldwide.
Although hygiene measures and vaccines are effective tools to protect against infections, not all diseases of this type have a vaccine. The latter takes time to develop and, in fact, it may take many years before its use is approved.
Because of this, additional strategies need to be adopted to address infectious epidemics. One measure, for example, is the use of immunonutrients to strengthen the immune system. This time we will see the role of zinc, its mechanisms of action and its food sources.


Deficiency of some nutrients like zinc can cause a weakening of the immune system. Therefore, beyond conventional treatments, it is important to pay attention to nutrition.

Zinc: main characteristics

The role of zinc for the functioning of the immune system has been known for a long time. The discovery of zinc-dependent thymulin, involved in the development of T lymphocytes in the thymus, has been known for four decades.
This trace element is an integral component of more than 3,000 proteins that play a role as enzymes and transcription factors that participate in cellular signaling pathways and DNA repair and replication processes.
Also read : 3 properties of avocado

Mechanisms of immune action of zinc

Among the multiple functions in signal transduction and cell proliferation that this mineral exerts, it is not surprising that it plays an important role in immune function .
According to the article published in the journal Metabollomics , the role of zinc is necessary for the maturation and maintenance of the balance of the balance of T cells.
For example, its deficiency has been observed to cause decreased Th1 lymphocyte-mediated immunity and promote inflammation reactions (characterized by interleukin 1β secretion).

Food sources of zinc

As already mentioned, the role of zinc in strengthening the immune system has been studied on several occasions. Although, this mineral can be consumed based on single supplements or accompanied in the form of a multivitamin, the ideal thing is to consume it naturally, through food.
The main sources are the following:
  • The others, which provide 76 mg per 85 g portion of food.
  • Fortified cereals, as they provide 15 mg per 30 g serving.
  • Beef, which contains 6.2 mg per 100 g.
  • Chicken, which provides 2.7 mg per 100 g serving.
  • The pig, whose contribution is 2.9 mg per 100 g. 
  • Seafood, in turn, are sources of zinc. For example, clams provide 21 mg per 100 g, while sardines provide 3 mg per 100 g.
  • Finally, legumes are a modest but important source. They contain 1.8 mg of zinc per 170 g serving.


Although it is possible to obtain zinc through supplements, it is best to obtain it through natural sources.

The role of zinc and its supplementation

The establishment of nutritional recommendations to cover the contribution of micronutrients is necessary. To begin, the intake of supplements must be endorsed by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) . 
Specifically, and to support the optimal functioning of the immune system, a daily intake of between 8 and 11 mg of zinc per day is recommended. Finally, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of taking animal foods as the main source of zinc. 
It may interest you: Why are seeds good for health?

Importance of a correct diet

To finish, it is necessary to emphasize carrying out a correct and varied diet to obtain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the body. In fact, deficiencies in various micronutrients have been observed in overweight and obese people.
According to an article published in Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders , one of the reasons why nutritional status is reduced in overweight individuals is the consumption of processed foods, which contain too much trans fat and simple sugars.
Such foods not only promote weight gain, but are poor in vitamins and minerals. Consequently, consuming them increases the probability of contracting infectious diseases.
For this reason, it is essential to remember the role of zinc and other nutrients to strengthen the immune system and support its function. This, accompanied by basic hygiene measures , will help the body to be prepared for possible infectious agents.

The role of zinc in strengthening the immune system

We tell you about the effects of consuming refined sugar on health. Discover why it is important to limit the contribution of this nutrient in order to reduce the incidence of certain diseases.
Consumption of refined sugar has a number of health effects that are due, above all, to its interference with metabolic function. That is, its ability to modify the processes by which we generate internal energy. In general, it is recommended to moderate its consumption, except in the case of athletes.
Despite everything, in recent years the number of products that contain this substance in its composition has increased. Refined sugar is capable of improving the organoleptic qualities of food, which affects consumer satisfaction, since it improves its appearance and taste.
For this reason, fats have been gradually replaced by this nutrient. It is less caloric, of course, but it is more harmful in the medium and long term, as we will see below. Keep reading to find out.

Refined sugar affects metabolic health

One of the effects of refined sugar is the generation of pancreatic stress after ingestion, stimulating the production of insulin to modulate glucose levels in the blood. In the case of not regulating said glycemia, a dangerous pathological situation would occur.
When we ingest this variety of glucose with commercial products, the body is ordered to release large amounts of the hormone insulin (manufactured in the pancreas) to act fast. This is pancreatic stress , since it accelerates a metabolism that is usually slower.
If insulin is released in large amounts, regularly and continuously, the cells lose sensitivity to it, making it less efficient . Under this type of situation, it is necessary for the pancreas to generate more and more of the hormone to induce a similar effect, which worsens the function of the organ.
Thus, consuming refined sugar frequently is a risk factor for the development of pathologies such as type 2 diabetes, according to research published in the journal  Advances in Nutrition. Diabetes, in turn, increases the risk of other diseases, especially vascular. Furthermore, it is an irreversible process and, once it manifests itself, it can be managed and treated, but not cured.


Refined sugar produces pancreatic stress, leading to insulin resistance

Also read : 3 properties of avocado

Consumption of refined sugar and cancer

Another consequence of the regular consumption of refined sugar that is suspected is an increased incidence of some types of cancer, especially those related to the digestive system . Glucose is the main energy fuel for tumors, so supplying this mass of abnormal cells with simple sugar could be one of the reasons that stimulate their growth .
The scientific literature defends that the reduction in the consumption of simple carbohydrates and, even, the application of the ketogenic diet in certain situations, is capable of reducing the risk of developing tumors. This, of course, framed in the presence or not of other oncological risk factors.
However, restrictive eating plans do not always have a high degree of adherence. For this reason, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of refined sugar, instead of eliminating it completely from the diet.

The importance of metabolic flexibility

Both when it comes to reducing body weight and improving health, it is necessary to take into account a concept that can be key. This is that of metabolic flexibility .
This concept refers to the body's ability to use the different nutrients available to produce energy . Having poor metabolic flexibility may make it difficult to lose weight , as well as reduce performance in many athletes.
Eating refined sugar on a regular basis could have a negative impact on health by reducing a person's metabolic flexibility. To improve this situation, partial carbohydrate restriction and the use of intermittent fasting protocols are recommended .
Recent studies show a solid relationship between the implementation of these protocols and the increase in metabolic flexibility . It is suggested that the results may be generally applicable, but to obtain a stronger degree of evidence requires more extensive and long-term research on humans.


Refined sugar has been associated with digestive tract tumors and dangerous metabolic changes when overused.

Reducing the consumption of refined sugar has a positive effect on health

As we have explained, reducing the consumption of refined sugar can have favorable effects to improve health. In addition, this strategy will also allow you to decrease subcutaneous fat and improve body composition .
This situation will translate into a lower risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases . In this way, many of the main causes of mortality can be addressed with a diet that controls the intake of carbohydrates , maintaining non-excessive levels of them.
It is not necessary that you deprive yourself completely of the foods that contain this nutrient, especially if you are an athlete, but you should control its intake. Ideally, they should not be part of the regular diet.
Prioritizing the consumption of fresh foods over ultra-processed products, rich in refined sugars and trans fats, will bring remarkable benefits. In addition, you will feel less bloated and decrease the level of inflammation throughout the body.
If you have doubts about which foods are likely to contain sugar, go to a nutrition professional so that he can tell you how to improve the diet in a simple way. Similarly, get used to reading the labeling of what you buy.

What are the health effects of refined sugar?