What light brown food has a funny shape, pungent flavor, and helps maintain bone density? This spicy food shows up this time of year in holiday cookies and cakes, and it just so happens to be a powerful anti-inflammatory. (Hint: it’s not cinnamon.)
A delicious way to build your bones is with…
Ginger, the Root with a Punch
Gingerbread, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses…just the thought of ginger evokes images of the holidays. But ginger is used in a wide range of cuisines and dishes, from stir-fries to soups and much more. Ginger has known medicinal qualities, and is often used as an anti-nausea herb – you can get ginger tablets to prevent motion sickness, for instance – and it does work well for this purpose. Ginger also has anti-bacterial properties, and has been shown to be an effective treatment for ulcers1.
But when it comes to bone health, it is ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties that make it such a powerful ally in promoting bone density. Scientific studies have indicated that ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory:
“Ginger modulates biochemical pathways activated in chronic inflammation,” concludes one study2 published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.
In other words, ginger helps halt the body processes that lead to inflammation. And this is important for bone health, because…
Inflammation Damages Your Bones
Chronic inflammation is bad for your bone health, which is why we’re looking at this anti-inflammatory spice more closely.
While acute inflammation has a role in bone healing, chronic inflammation is a different story. Chronic inflammation has been shown in studies3 to reduce bone density, and research has implicated inflammation in the development of osteoporosis.4
So how can you bring inflammation under control? Reach for this knobby root, which you may have overlooked many times in your grocery store’s produce department. You can also use dried ginger, found in your store’s spice aisle. Then use it to make this sweet holiday treat that’s both sugar-free and 100% alkalizing. The “secret” ingredient is…
Stevia: The Guilt-Free Sweetener
You’ll notice that the recipe below uses stevia. You’ll also notice that the recipe calls for a mere ¼ teaspoon. This is because stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you only need a little.
Bone-Building Banana Ginger Pudding
2 Servings
Ingredients:
2 large bananas, mashed
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (you can adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (you can adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon stevia
1/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk substitute
Top with chopped almonds
Directions:
1. In a small pot, mix all ingredients except almond milk, stevia, and almonds. Heat at low temperature until hot.
2. Remove pot from heat. Add stevia to almond milk and combine it with the banana mixture.
3. Stir for a minute or two until the mixture takes on a pudding-like consistency.
4. Top with almonds and serve warm.
Give Your Bones a Gift
Alkalizing and anti-inflammatory, there’s no doubt that ginger is good for your bones. In fact, ginger is featured in a tasty stir-fry recipe in the Recipe Sampler, which is part of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. So give your bones a gift this season, and include ginger on your holiday table!
References
1 Khusthtar M., et al. “Positive Effect of Ginger oil on Aspirin and Pylorus Ligation-Induced Gastric Ulcer model in Rats.”Indian J. Pharm Sci. 2009 Sep;71(5):554-8. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20502577
2 Grzanna, R., et al. “Ginger – an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions.” Journal of Medicinal Food. 2005 Summer; 8(2): 125-32. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16117603 )
3 Paganelli, M., et al. “Inflammation is the main determinant of low bone density in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.” Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2007 April; 13(4): 416-23. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17206686
4 McLean, RR. “Proinflammatory cytokines and osteoporosis.” Current Osteoporosis Reports. 2009 Dec.; (7)4: 134-9. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19968917
What is your advise on juicing, in general. I am seriously considering purchasing a juicer
to juice green vegetables,carrots celery cucumber etc. Also will juice some fruits. My concern
is that after the purchase it will sit and collect more dust than juice. If it has great merits i will
fork over the money,gladly. But I search opinions first before purchasing
Also there are 2 types…. one that presses the food to extract the juice and another that grinds , masticates
the food. The publicity says that the pressing-type heats the food less and the food is not oxidized of
it’s nutrients during the pressing. Whereas the grinding-type does exactly that ! What to do !
I too would like the answer to the previous person question.
Vivian, I appreciate all that you research and forward on to us. I love the pudding recipe and use slimtevia regularly. Thanks for all you do for us. Do you have any information on Isagenic products. I have a friend who is a true believer and she is putting some pressure on me to use it. I sent this question in once before and didn’t receive an answer. Please help on this.
Evelyn
Your recipe sounds good. Can one drink it cold as a smoothie if one does not want to heat it on low to make the pudding? If consumed cold does it have the same benefits as the warm pudding? Many thanks, Vivian
Elaine, that would probably make a delicious smoothie! Let us know if you try it. 🙂
I blend ginger, onion, garlic and a little pure water and then I saute some mushrooms in the mixture and it tastes great.
Happy New Year Vivian.
Vivian,
As stated in a previous comment, I am currently taking Prolia injections and have developed TMJ on both sides of my jaw. Is this a precursor to ONJ and/or do you think it could be caused by the Prolia. I have not had this problem before and want to have all the ammunition to confront my doctor. Thanks
Hi! Vivian,
The BONE-BUILDING BANANA GINGER PUDDING Sounds DELICIOUS! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING IT WITH US!
LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L.)
Thank you very muchI lave all your advices. Olga
I am suspicious the coconut oil, it is fatty acid, is it good for our
bones?
Nu Ly, you might be interested in this study on coconut oil and its bone-healthy properties! Here is a link where you can check it out:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23024690
Hi Vivian, Great information as usual! Someday Vivian I would like to know what you eat for breakfast? Would it be millet and Almond milk or perhaps Buckwheat pancakes or do you eat eggs and toast? We know what you eat for lunch as you have told us previously so we can guess what you eat for dinner. Just curious.
I’ve always been told that ginger and/or cherries help to halt inflammation and since I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis ginger is going to be a must have from now on. I wasn’t aware that ginger could be found in pulverized form in the super market. Thanks vivan for these tips.
Ginger heals heart burn and other stomach problems. In my veggie juice I would pop a small piece of it to give it a little zing. That little purple pill touted on TV can be thrown away if we juice with ginger.
The recipe looks good. What can I substitute for the bananas? I’m allergic to them.
Hi Vie, thanks so much for your kindness and helpfulness, in giving us a lot of very good information from which we are being benefitted. Your returns from the Lord will be great, and your labor of love is never in vain in the Lord. I so much enjoy all information you give us, and what you suggest we get, by choice to do so. I intend to get some of the good things you mention about. I will like to ask you what do you think about the use of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, as I heard a doctor speaking about healthing eating,and natural suppliments, say that Olive oil used (not in cooking) keeps arteries open, and one Tbsp. can be used in the morning and one Tbsp. in the afternoon. Also what do you think about the cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil? Should that be used in cooking? I noticed that some who gave healthy recipes, use tomato paste in can. Is this healthy, although processed? Do you have a book with healthy recipes for sale? Doctors do tell some people not to eat coconut meat, because of the fat content, yet I see some who eat healthy meals using coconut meat. Thanks for your answer to these questions. God bless.
Hi Abigail,
Please click on the Customer Support icon (smiley face) at the top of the page, and we’ll be glad to answer your questions!
Vivian I find your site constructive and helpful. After what was feared to be “lukemier” but fortunately was not……but still undiagnosed I have been living off naturaly pure mineral well water….untreated in anyway whatsoever … and my health has turned round completely. I understand nothing works in isolation its all a team effort so the supplements I take obviously play their part. In your opinion does this waters mineral content serve to care for bones as well? All details can be found on http://www.peartreewell.co.uk and David is a close friend.
Thanks for your consideration.
Michael Morland
Thanks,
Shula
Vivian…..I enjoy your site but like other readers get put off by tempting release of info only to be faced with a purchase! With credit less on your site than others.
Please check out the mineral structure of this pure drinking water (straight from the ground no treatment at all) I have been using for the last 7 years to surprising consequences … in your opinion is the range of minerals beneficial for sound bone growth. http://www.peartreewell.co.uk. I appreciate all minerals/vitamins work as a team and are equally subject to the blood grouping of the recipient. But generally does its content positively support bone care/growth. This underground stream is protected by a 5 feet layer of iron rock…..hence its taste is original to say the least. I look forward to your comments.
Thank you Michael Morland
What do you think of the information in this blog post: https://myqute.com/blog/genetically-engineered-gmo-sugar-made-from-bacteria-and-9-other-food-tips/
According to this person, the inulin from Slimtevia is from a GMO.
I have lost faith in this website..it seems as though your main interest is in selling products.
Carol, I’m sorry that you’re disturbed if I recommend to the community a product that I consider good. This website has a wealth of information on how to beat osteoporosis naturally and stay healthy. There are hundreds of posts with lots of free information. The point of mentioning a product is to inform my readers so they can decide if they want the product or not. Nobody is forced to buy anything, but everybody has access to the information on this website 🙂
Vivian, Those folks like Carol who are so negative should be ignored. I’m happy with the info. you put out. Thank you
Whenever I click on the “Slimtevia” in your messages my antivirus comes up with “this is a dangerous site.” Hence I do not continue. Kindly advise.
it does the same thing when i click on the slimtevia too. it tells me it is a dangerous site.i didn’t go there but i order the slimtevia from Jim Healthy website cause i subscribe to it.that slimtevia is awesome and really does taste like sugar with no bitterness. i love it!
I bought Slimtevia once. I like the stevia packets from Trader Joes, or just stevia from health stores or regular grocery stores.
They are as good or better, and much less expensive. I resent that Vivian is always pushing Slimtevia….don’t waste your $$.
is it ok for ARTROSE too ?
please answer me if it is good fo artrose too ? i have terrible pains…..
I want to know if it is good for ARTROSE also ?please answer me !
Edith, Slimtevia is one heck of a lot better than sugar! Sugar literally melts your joints away. Or you can use any stevia brand, if you prefer 🙂
Thanks Vivian. I shall certainly try that pudding – sounds good. I have never used Slimstevia. I find Stevia doesn’t seem to have great sweetening power and also leaves a funny taste in your mouth. Shall try the other and thank you for the information.
P.S. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, your family and your staff.
Avis, you will love the slimtevia.no bitter taste and very sweet.i use it in all my baking recipes.
Sounds to me like you have been using regular store bought stevia that is 90%+ fillers. Pure stevia extract shouldn’t taste bitter unless it is being used excessively. I’ve been using pure stevia extracts for a few years and don’t need but a pound a year. It only takes 1/2 tsp. to sweeten a gallon of green tea for me. I sweeten my cocoa and turmeric or cocoa and ginger combinations with a tiny amount. One serving is about 1/64th tsp. If you buy any stevia at the local store that is cup for cup or spoon for spoon like sugar, then it is mostly filler and probably made with the wrong parts of the stevia plant that cause the bitter aftertaste. Stevia should be made with nothing but the leaf and no stems or stalks. Take a look for pure stevia extract like they have at this site. https://www.iherb.com/search?kw=nustevia%20pure%20extract#none You’ll save money over time and will get rid of alot of acid and calories from your diet.
Hi, i am the tea police. This is really none of my business, but I am forced to say something about putting anything in green tea except citrus juice. The benefits of the tea are diminished by using anything other than citrus.
I’ve read that a squeeze of citrus actually enhances the benefits of the tea. Enjoy!
I still have not gotten my question answered yet. The question is. Why is my urine acidic when using organic,un-processed applecider vinegar? Please answer.
Patricia, apple cider vinegar is actually alkalizing. Keep in mind that your urine pH can vary depending on other foods and drinks that you’ve consumed, besides apple cider vinegar. And stress can also acidify your pH. So maybe you should look at other factors that coincide with your taking the vinegar 🙂
Hi Vivian.
Love your Saveourbones site, what an amazing amount of information you give us. A real boost to The Bone Health Revolution book.
I wonder what your opinion is of the effectiveness on bone building, of vibrating power plates,found in the gym?
I did ask this question some time ago but missed the answer if there was one
Maureen
I believe exercise is important to building bone density, but I don’t think you need any special machines to do it. 🙂 When I wrote Densercise, I included exercises that can be done by anyone anywhere – no need for a gym membership! If you like, you can read more about it here:
https://saveourbones.com/densercise/
I look forward to trying this recipe, but I have recently learnt that the best and biggest anti-inflammatory around is the earth herself. Our ancestors walked barefoot and even slept on the earth so were constantly earthed. We either need to do the same (weather permitting)or use earthing products, available via http://www.bioenergyproducts.com or co.uk My husband and I have tried these and we could feel their power helping to relieve pain and promote better sleep.
Hi, Helen. Your bioenergy products page led to an advert for “godaddy.com.” Just fyi…
Dear Vivian,Thank you for your extraordinary research, I’ll order your second book as soon as I have a chance. In the meantime I’ll follow your advice. I’m a person that grew-up drinking organic milk in abundance, from our farm my entire life. Perhaps that’s the reason my fingers hurt, but also is the fact that I use my hands constantly after my parents died, that I had to care for my 3 young brothers and 1 sister. I will try to live without milk to see how I can reverse the peripheral damage. Thank you eternally, gloria
I wish you success, Gloria! There are all kinds of wonderful milk alternatives available these days – personally, I enjoy almond milk and find it very tasty. Once you discover these alternatives, I bet you won’t miss the cow’s milk!
Great website. T%hank you and please keep it coming!