Does ginger help with inflammation and nausea?
Ginger probably helps with nausea, especially during chemotherapy and possibly also after surgery or during pregnancy. For conditions like arthritis and psoriasis the signals are positive but not yet strong enough to rely on it as a standalone treatment.
For nausea caused by chemotherapy, ginger has the strongest evidence behind it. Studies in people with cancer found a clear reduction in vomiting during later chemotherapy rounds: 4% of the ginger group experienced delayed vomiting in the second round, compared with 27% in the control group. Many studies combined support this picture, though they caution that the quality of many of the individual studies is low. Other studies in people found no clear effect on the overall number of cases of nausea, but did find less acute vomiting at a dose of up to 1 gram per day for at least four days.
For nausea after surgery and pregnancy-related nausea, the evidence also points in a positive direction, though it is thinner. Many studies combined found less nausea after surgery and less need for additional anti-nausea medication. For pregnancy nausea, several studies support a relieving effect. An important caveat: with prolonged use during pregnancy, possible harm cannot be fully ruled out. Always consult your midwife or doctor before using ginger as a supplement during pregnancy.
For conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis and lupus, the picture is positive but still early. Experiments with cells and animal studies show that active compounds in ginger hold back processes that drive inflammation. In people, results are promising but limited. In that context, ginger may be considered as an addition to standard treatment, not as a replacement for it.
Short-term use of ginger is considered safe in the studies examined. No serious side effects were reported in the chemotherapy group. With long-term use, and certainly during pregnancy, that is less certain.
Evidence based on one multicentre study in people, two combined reviews of existing studies, two further combined analyses with reviews, and several narrative reviews. The methodological quality of the underlying studies in the combined analyses was low to critically low.
Does eating a high-fibre diet help against constipation as you get older?
Eating more fibre helps with constipation in older adults, but the overall dietary pattern matters at least as much as fibre grams alone. Always drink enough water when taking fibre supplements, and consult your doctor if you use medications or are unable to drink sufficient fluids.
Do goji berries help against ageing?
Goji has shown interesting properties in experiments with cells and in animal studies. In people, its effect on ageing has barely been studied.
Does eating less help you live longer?
In laboratory animals the effect on lifespan is well established, but in healthy humans direct evidence is lacking. A moderate and sustainable eating pattern is wiser than extreme restriction; discuss major changes to your diet with a dietitian or doctor.
Does eating gluten-free help if you don't have coeliac disease?
For healthy people without an established condition, there is no evidence that eating gluten-free provides any benefit, and it carries nutritional risks. If you experience symptoms after eating wheat, have that assessed by a doctor before changing your diet.
Does turmeric help against inflammation?
Curcumin has a biologically plausible anti-inflammatory effect, but the clinical results are mixed. If you want to try it, choose a formulation containing piperine or a liposomal variant, and discuss it with your doctor if you are taking medication.
Does regular exercise help against that creeping chronic inflammation?
Regular, moderate exercise demonstrably lowers inflammatory markers such as CRP and IL-6; training too intensely can reverse that effect, so moderate exercise three to five times per week is the best-supported choice.