Ginger is one of the healthiest spices around, but which packs more punch – fresh or bottled? Read on for the (flavorful) facts.

Q: True or false –  In order to reap the health benefits of ginger, you must use fresh gingerroot.

A: False. Ginger’s nutrient profile does undergo some changes during the drying and bottling process, but it still offers up plenty of health benefits and is definitely worth adding to your diet – in any form. The method used to create ground ginger from fresh ginger reduces the amount of gingerol (one of the ingredients that contributes to its health properties) in the root, but it also appears to increase levels of other compounds, such as shogaols, which appear to have impressive medicinal benefits and may be even more potent than gingerol. Plus, ground ginger is more convenient to cook with, so you’ll probably use more of it. Try adding it to smoothies, marinades, dressings, healthy muffin recipes (like my spiced Pumpkin version), and even oatmeal if you like.

If you can, try to mix things up and use a combo of both fresh gingerroot and dried ginger in your diet – the more the better! Fresh gingerroot is very inexpensive and keeps for a while in the produce drawer. You can even store it in the freezer to make it last longer. I like to use fresh ginger to make a simple ginger tea: cut 2 to 3 thin slices of fresh gingerroot, steep it in 1 to 2 cups of simmering water for a few minutes, and then pour into a mug for sipping. Or try my Ginger Green Tea – very soothing and incredibly healthful!

Find out about more herbs and spices that may be beneficial to your health.