Candied Ginger Chews Recipe | Sugar Free (2024)

FAQs

Will ginger chews lower blood sugar? ›

Over the years, ginger has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels and help regulate insulin response in people with diabetes.

Candied ginger retains its medicinal and nutritional value, although it should be consumed in moderation given the amount of sugar. One piece of candied ginger can have 3 to 5 grams of sugar and about 20 calories.

Chewing on a piece of ginger candy can curb pain caused from inflammation, GI distresses, nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and other forms of pain. This isn't to suggest that ginger candy is a magical food item that cures all ailments, but in some cases, it can help.

Fresh ginger is first peeled and then cut into thin slices or chunky cubes. The pieces of ginger are then candied in a sugar syrup to make chewy pieces. This is why crystallized ginger is also known as candied ginger. Crystalized ginger has many uses and can even be eaten on its own as a spicy-sweet snack!

Ginger consumption significantly reduced serum levels of fasting blood glucose (-26.30 ± 35.27 vs. 11.91 ± 38.58 mg/dl; P = 0.001) and hemoglobin A1C (-0.38 ± 0.35 vs. 0.22 ± 0.29 %; P < 0.0001) compared to the placebo group.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.

Up to 4 chews per day.

Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

Other side effects of crystallized ginger — and sugary foods in general — include a greater risk of cavities, metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Ginger itself is considered safe. However, it may cause bloating and heartburn in some individuals, warns the University of Rochester.

One small study found that overweight men who consumed ginger stayed fuller longer. A meta-analysis of studies that looked at ginger's weight loss benefits suggests that ginger has a significant effect on body weight and belly fat (waist-to-hip ratio). Gingerols encourage certain biological activities in your body.

What happens when you eat a piece of ginger everyday? ›

Reduces Muscle Pain and Soreness

This can significantly reduce your productivity and proper mobility. Research has shown that eating raw or cooked ginger in small quantities every day reduces muscle pain. The study showed that those who ate ginger everyday recovered faster from muscle soreness.

Ginger contains nutrients such as manganese, copper, magnesium, and vitamin B6, essential for healthy joint function. Recent studies have also suggested ginger can help reduce the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, hormones that cause pain in people with arthritis.

Crystallized ginger has a bold, invigorating flavor which can be used as an ingredient in a variety of sweet and spicy food products, or eaten as a snack by itself. It pairs well with many flavors, including citrus, turmeric, garlic, nuts, berries, and chocolate.

Properly stored, crystallized ginger will generally stay at best quality for about 2 to 3 years. To maximize the shelf life of crystallized ginger purchased in bulk, and to better retain flavor and potency, store in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Crystallized ginger has natural compounds that can alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, making it beneficial for conditions like arthritis.

(2006) reported that oral intake of alcoholic extract of ginger (800 mg/Kg) significantly decreased the level of fasting blood sugar after 1 hour treatment in STZ-diabetic rats. The effect peak was observed after 4 hours and 24-53% reduction of blood glucose with consumption of doses of 100-800 mg/Kg (19).

Up to 4 chews per day.

The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.

Foods to try instead

Sugar free or “no added sugar” squash. 1 small glass (150ml) of pure fruit juice or smoothie a day. 1 to 2 plain biscuits such as Rich Tea, Oatcakes, Ginger or Garibaldi. A small serving of low fat milk puddings such as rice pudding, semolina or low fat custard.