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How ginger can help with a cold

Ginger is the root of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. People have used ginger as a herbal remedy for centuries to treat many conditions, from arthritis to abdominal pain. People often still use ginger today when they have a cough or cold. Scientific research shows that ginger has medicinal properties that could help ease the symptoms of a cold or sore throat. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols. Researchers believe that these compounds give ginger its medicinal properties. Fresh ginger is also antibacterial and may help protect against cold viruses. However, researchers need to carry out studies on humans to verify ginger’s potential benefits. It is possible to take ginger as a tea, juice, or lozenge. People can also add ginger to smoothies or meals. Combining ginger with honey and other anti-inflammatory ingredients is a popular way of soothing a sore throat.(Credits: www.medicalnewstoday.com)

How the heart changes our sensory perception

A new study helps explain why our sensitivity to external sensory stimuli fluctuates with the beating of our hearts. Our hearts beat faster when we think about something exciting or frightening, for example. Conversely, an early morning jog can brighten our mood as our heart and lungs work harder. A new study adds to evidence that the brain’s sensitivity to external sensory stimuli changes in step with the beating of the heart. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain, both in Germany, set out to investigate this relationship. The brain can rapidly switch conscious attention between internal sensations, such as breathing or heartbeat, and external sensations. It seems that we cannot focus on both simultaneously, though. Beyond its curiosity value, the new research may also have implications for healthcare.(Credits: www.medicalnewstoday.com)