Gingerbread Nutrition Facts and Ginger Health Benefits

Understanding Gingerbread Nutrition

Gingerbread holds a special place in holiday traditions, whether as decorative houses or in the form of tasty cookies, cakes and breads. Behind the nostalgia lies a spiced, molasses-kissed treat brimming with old-fashioned flavor.

But how healthy is gingerbread exactly? The calorie, fat, sugar and nutrient profile of gingerbread depends greatly on the specific recipe.

Breaking Down Gingerbread Ingredients

Classic gingerbread recipes call for:

• Flour
• Butter or oil
• Eggs
• Molasses
• Sugar
• Milk
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Allspice

Ingredients can be adjusted to control calorie, fat and sugar content. Using part whole wheat flour, for example, boosts nutrition. Swapping coconut oil for butter reduces saturated fats. And cutting back on sugar balances sweetness.

Calories and Macros

On average, a 2-inch square piece of gingerbread contains:

• Calories: 175
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 125mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 30g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 16g
• Protein: 2g

This equals 9% of daily calories, 11% of daily fat, 10% saturated fat, 5% sodium, 10% total carbohydrate and 4% dietary fiber per serving based on a standard 2000 calorie diet.

Comparing Gingerbread Varieties

Calories, fat and nutritional values differ amongst gingerbread recipes. For instance:

• Double chocolate gingerbread has more fat, sugar and calories than regular.
• Vegetable oil instead of butter lowers saturated fat.
• Molasses provides more minerals than white sugar.
• Whole wheat flour adds fiber, protein and micronutrients.

Iced gingerbread and gingerbread decorated with candy have extra calories and sugar from frosting and decorations.

Potential Gingerbread Health Benefits

Beyond tasting delicious, gingerbread offers a few potential wellness perks courtesy of its ingredients.

1. Digests Better Than Plain Sugar Cookies

The ginger, cinnamon and cloves give gingerbread digestive enhancing properties. Spices stimulate enzyme secretions needed to properly break down fats, protein and carbohydrates.

2. Molasses Provides Iron and B Vitamins

Blackstrap molasses is a prime source of iron, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and other minerals. Just 2 tablespoons contains up to 20% of your daily needs for iron, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and more.

3. Contains Inflammation-Fighting Compounds

The combination of ginger, cinnamon and allspice supplies anti-inflammatory substances that prevent chronic inflammation underlying most diseases.

4. Spices Have Antimicrobial Properties

Clove, allspice, cinnamon and ginger concentrate powerful antimicrobial essential oils in their tissues. Consuming these spices may guard against foodborne pathogens and infection.

So while gingerbread is an indulgent dessert, its wholesome ingredients do lend some redeeming nutritional qualities.

Understanding Ginger Health Benefits

One of the key ingredients giving gingerbread its flavor, aroma and potential health benefits is ginger itself. The gnarled beige root has an impressive resume of scientifically validated therapeutic effects.

Anti-Inflammatory Action

The bioactive compounds 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol and 10-gingerol in fresh ginger root powerfully inhibits enzymes and molecular signaling pathways that generate systemic inflammation.

This makes ginger beneficial for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.

Powerful Antioxidant

Ginger concentrate demonstrates free radical scavenging capability on par with vitamin antioxidants in numerous studies. It protects against oxidative damage of proteins, lipids and DNA.

This antioxidant activity guards against cancer, liver disease, diabetes complications, brain aging and coronary artery disease.

Immune Support

Consuming fresh ginger stimulates production of white blood cells, antibodies and protective proteins. This enhances immune defense against viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.

Reduces Nausea and Vomiting

Multiple reviews of clinical trials confirm the effectiveness of ginger against nausea and vomiting from pregnancy, chemotherapy, seasickness and gastrointestinal infection.

Ginger works as well as many anti-nausea medications with few side effects.

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Human and animal research finds fresh ginger decreases fasting blood glucose by improving insulin sensitivity and stimulating insulin release.

This mechanism also lowers HbA1c, a measure of long term blood sugar control in diabetics.

So while gingerbread offers sweet holiday comfort, ginger itself boasts versatile health benefits well beyond the holiday season thanks to its robust phytochemical profile.

Uses for Ginger Root

The unique flavor, fragrance and medicinal qualities of ginger make it indispensable in foods and beverages, herbal remedies, beauty products and home cleaning solutions.

Culinary Applications

Cuisines across the globe value ginger as an essential seasoning. Use cases include:

• Baked goods like gingerbread, cookies, cakes
• Chai tea, ginger ale and ginger beer
• Curried vegetable and meat dishes
• Seasoning for healthy stir fry recipes
• Fresh ginger pickle relish
• Smoothies and juices

Herbal Medicine

Ginger serves as a warming herb to stimulate circulation, alleviate gastrointestinal issues and battle infection in natural medicine protocols. Forms include:

• Fresh ginger root tea
• Crystallized ginger candy
• Liquid ginger root extract
• Essential oil of ginger

It also blends well with other herbs like lemon balm, peppermint, fennel and chamomile.

Body Care and Home Uses

Creative uses for ginger’s cleansing, nourishing properties include:

• Skin toner from ginger juice/water
• Facial steam from boiled ginger
• Soothing bath soak
• Massage oil carrier
• Household cleaning solutions
• All-natural bug repellent

Try growing ginger in a pot to always have fresh root available for cooking and DIY health remedies!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.