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Ginger is a very special and widely used plant that is usually used to strengthen immunity and improve digestion, but like any other natural substance, its excessive consumption can have side effects. One of the important concerns is the effect of ginger on liver health; A vital organ responsible for detoxifying the body. Although ginger is beneficial in small doses, its continuous or excessive use may cause inflammation, metabolic stress, and increased liver enzymes. For further investigation, you can consult a Gastroenterologist. Also, in this article, we are going to examine the effects of ginger on the liver in more detail. Stay with us.
Does ginger have side effects for the liver?
Ginger contains active compounds such as gingerol and shagaol, which have antioxidant and protective properties in small amounts, but high or long-term consumption can damage liver cells. Because the liver is responsible for processing these substances, the introduction of high amounts of ginger increases its activity and fatigue.
It usually does not cause problems in healthy people. At normal doses, no evidence of direct liver damage has been reported, however, caution and consultation with a physician is necessary when using very high doses or concentrated supplements.
- increasing the detoxification load on the liver
- increasing the risk of inflammation in liver patients
- interaction of ginger with liver drugs
- Abnormal increase in bile secretion
- Temporary increase of liver enzymes
- Increased risk of bleeding
In people who have a history of chronic inflammation or autoimmune diseases, it is better to consult a doctor before consuming a lot of ginger. If you live in Tehran and are concerned about this issue, visiting a rheumatologist in Tehran can help to accurately assess your immune and inflammatory status.
English text:
In more than 100 clinical trials of ginger, there were no reports of hepatotoxicity or clinically apparent liver injury. While ginger is a commonly used botanical, it does not appear in lists of herbs known to cause liver injury or reported to pharmacovigilance registries.
Persian translation:
In more than a hundred clinical studies on ginger, no signs of liver damage or toxicity have been seen. Although ginger is one of the most widely used herbs, it is not mentioned in the list of herbs harmful to the liver or in official reports of liver damage. target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ncbi.nlm.nih
1. Increasing the burden of detoxification on the liver
The liver is the main responsible for cleansing the body of toxins. Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but this property can act as a double-edged sword. When the consumption of ginger increases, its active compounds increase the work load of the liver to remove the substances resulting from ginger metabolism. In this case, the body may experience a feeling of heat, fatigue or heaviness in the abdomen.
These symptoms sometimes show that the liver is involved more than usual to eliminate the active ingredients of ginger. Especially in those with fatty liver, this extra pressure may slow down the repair process of liver cells. Therefore, although ginger is useful for cleanse the liver, excessive use of it may increase the burden and fatigue of the liver.
2. Increased risk of inflammation in liver patients
In people with fatty liver or liver inflammation, there is evidence that ginger in controlled doses can improve markers of inflammation and fatty liver. However, the use of any herbal supplement in these patients as a home treatment for fatty liver must be done with the doctor's opinion and accompanied by modification of diet and lifestyle. The spicy and stimulating compounds of ginger may make the immune system more active and as a result, the inflammation in the liver tissues will intensify.
Limited studies have shown that gingerol, in high doses, can increase the amount of inflammatory cytokines in the body. In the body of a person whose liver is already involved in inflammation, this situation means an increased risk of liver cell destruction. If a person is taking anti-inflammatory medication or specific liver medication, it is better to consult a doctor before adding ginger to their daily diet. Sometimes only removing one cup of ginger tea per day can make a big difference in liver function.3. Interaction of ginger with liver drugs
Ginger interacts with some medications, including those related to fatty liver, blood pressure, and blood thinners. The reason for this interaction is that ginger affects the metabolism of drugs in the liver and can change their absorption or excretion. For example, ginger may increase the rate at which drugs are broken down in the liver, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
In other cases, on the contrary, it may cause the drug to accumulate in the body and increase the risk of side effects. This is especially important for people who take chronic medications such as statins to lower blood lipids or warfarin. In these people, high consumption of ginger can disrupt the balance of liver function.
4. Abnormal increase in bile secretion
One of the known effects of ginger is the stimulation of bile secretion, although there is no strong scientific evidence. Bile is a substance produced by the liver to break down fats. At first glance, this feature appears to be beneficial, but when bile secretion becomes excessive, the liver and gallbladder may become stressed.
In people who have gallstones or blocked bile ducts, consuming too much ginger may cause sudden movement of stones and severe pain. In addition, increasing bile production in the short term can cause nausea or a burning sensation in the liver area. Although this reaction is usually temporary in healthy people, for those who have a history of biliary problems, it is better to minimize the amount of ginger consumed or consult a doctor.
5. Temporary increase of liver enzymes
To date, there is no strong human evidence of a sustained increase in liver enzymes or jaundice caused by ginger, and even in some trials, enzymes have been reduced. However, if a person develops symptoms such as jaundice or cloudy urine while taking any supplement (including ginger), they should stop taking it and get a professional evaluation, as it could be caused by other things, such as medications or viral illnesses.
In a healthy body, the liver controls these fluctuations, but in someone with a fatty liver or inflammation, this increase can lead to the destruction of part of the liver cells. The result may be tiredness, nausea or darkening of the skin. Therefore, even though ginger is a natural food, it should not be assumed that it is without risk. Balance is the key to liver health.
6. Increased risk of bleeding
Another side effect of ginger for the liver is the increased risk of bleeding. Ginger has anticoagulant properties, especially in those who take blood thinners at the same time, the risk of bruising, nosebleeds or internal bleeding increases. If someone has bleeding gums or unexplained bruises on the skin after consuming too much ginger, they should stop using it immediately and have blood and liver enzymes tested.
| Complications | Cause |
|---|---|
| Possible damage to liver cells | High consumption of ginger and metabolic pressure caused by gingerol and shagaol |
| Feeling hot, tired or heavy Stomach | Excessive involvement of the liver in excreting substances from ginger |
| Disturbance due to liver drugs or diluents | Ginger's effect on the metabolism of drugs and changing the speed of their decomposition |
| Pressure on the gallbladder and biliary pain | Abnormal increase in bile secretion and possible movement Stones |
| temporary increase in liver enzymes | long-term metabolic pressure on liver cells |
| nausea, fatigue or dark skin | result of increased enzymes and decreased efficiency of liver cells |
| increased risk of bleeding | anticoagulant property of ginger + reduced power Coagulation in a weak liver |
| Jaundice, dark urine, light stools | Symptoms of reduced liver function due to excessive consumption of ginger |
| Stomach discomfort, heartburn or diarrhea | Stimulation of the digestive system by oral ginger |
| Stimulation of the mouth and throat | Astringent and stimulating effect of the compounds Ginger |
symptoms of liver damage caused by excessive consumption of ginger
Early signs of liver damage may be mild and vague. Constant fatigue, feeling of heaviness in the right side of the stomach, nausea or bitterness in the mouth are the first symptoms. Many people do not take these symptoms seriously at first, because they attribute it to digestive problems.
In more advanced stages, yellowing of the skin and eyes, darkening of urine and lightening of stool color appear. These symptoms usually indicate that the liver is under pressure and has lost its normal function.
If a person uses ginger teas, powder or supplements continuously and has these symptoms, they should have liver enzymes tested. In most cases, by stopping the use of ginger and following a light diet, the liver will gradually return to its normal state.
English text:
Ginger can have side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation when taken orally. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using ginger or any other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
Farsi translation:
Ginger may cause side effects such as stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea or mouth and throat irritation if taken orally. If you are using any type of medication, consult your doctor before taking ginger or any other herbal product, as some herbs can cause dangerous reactions with medications.Which doctor should we refer for liver problems?
For more information about liver problems, you can make an appointment with the best gastroenterology doctors in Iran.
Next, you can see a list of the most prominent gastroenterology doctors in some different cities of Iran:Conclusion
Ginger in itself is a useful substance with many characteristics, but excessive consumption or without knowing the health status of the body can cause complications. In healthy people, daily consumption of a small amount of ginger does not cause any problems. But for those who have fatty liver, inflammation or a history of liver disease, it is better to use with caution. The liver is a smart and sensitive organ. Any change in diet can affect it. Therefore, if you feel that your body has reacted to ginger, your liver tests have changed, or you are worried about the effects of ginger on your liver, be sure to consult a liver specialist. In the path of health, moderation is always the best way.
Your doctor takes care of your health!
