Michael Mosley shares type of biscuit we should all eat to 'treat nausea'

16 October 2023 , 15:24

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Dr Michael Mosley has revealed whether ginger biscuits can help alleviate morning sickness (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Anyone who has ever experienced morning sickness will have been told about the benefits of ginger. It has a reputation as being one of nature's superfoods which can help aid the immune system, provide natural pain relief and even boost your metabolism.

But can it really help alleviate nausea and sickness? Or is that simply an old wives' tale? According to health expert Dr Michael Mosley, it's all true! Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: "Ginger is one of my favourite spices, whether in ginger biscuits, tea or in a stir-fry. It’s also a traditional remedy for a range of health conditions.

"But in modern terms, the best evidence for it is in treating nausea. One study, published in 2018 in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, showed that ginger was more effective than a placebo for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (possibly because it has been shown to speed up stomach emptying)."

Ginger has a long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. Its unique fragrance and flavour comes from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol. Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger and it’s responsible for many of ginger’s medicinal properties since it has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, according to research.

Ginger can also play a role in weight loss, according to studies in humans and animals. According to HealthLine, one 2019 review concluded that ginger supplementation significantly reduced body weight, the waist-hip ratio, and the hip ratio in people with overweight or obesity. Ginger’s ability to influence weight loss may be due to certain mechanisms, such as its potential to reduce inflammation.

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It comes after Dr Mosley revealed the 'seven-a-day' rule you need to follow to curb food cravings on a diet Speaking to the doctor explained that drinking more water will help you feel hydrated and cut cravings. He said: "I have a seven-a-day rule, which is to try and go to the loo seven times a day to pass urine – if you drink lots of water, then you'll cut some of your cravings and feel hydrated. This rule means you don’t have to worry about whether you're drinking one or two litres, either."

He went on to urge people not to worry too much about calorie counting in general - unless they're trying to lose weight. "If you're already pretty healthy, or a child, then I would thoroughly recommend ignoring calorie count [and instead concentrate on eating whole foods] and that's exactly the direction I think people should go in. However, if you have type two diabetes or hypertension, for example, then simply switching to a healthier diet isn't going to make much difference."

Gemma Strong