Will chewing ginger save you from sudden heart attack?

Ginger is an amazing aromatic that contains many nutrients and bioactive elements that are excellent for the body and brain. Science has validated the medicinal properties of ginger which is often used in ayurvedic concoctions. On and off, videos claiming that people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest could be saved by making them chew a piece of ginger circulate on social media. There are also commonly quoted lines in the health-conscious circles, like ‘A pinch of ginger is a boost for your ticker’ and ‘Keep your heart healthy, one slice of ginger at a time.’ However, what are the facts behind these claims? Let’s fact check:

‘A piece of ginger can…’
One of the popularly shared videos on the topic goes with the note, “It is not an arduous task carrying a small piece of ginger with you, isn’t it? Anyone could have a sudden cardiac arrest at any time. So, always keep a piece of fresh ginger in your pocket. If you think you are having a heart attack, sit down and chew the ginger as shown in the video. Chew the ginger until your eyes get filled with water. Share this video to save a life!”

In the video, a man is seen speaking to an audience about the precautions that needed to be taken as soon as one gets cardiac arrest. “If someone shows signs of cardiac arrest, we might immediately call an ambulance and rush the person to the hospital. However, the time between this is really important. There is a small yet valuable thing in all the households – ginger. You could urge the patient to chew a piece of ginger until his/her eyes begins to water. The watering eyes is the sign that the block in the heart has disappeared. You could then take the person to the hospital as they are safe. The body begins to produce nitric oxide and the arteries are opened due to vasodilation,” the man in the viral video claims. 

What we found
When our fact checking team browsed for credible studies about ginger and its ability to save us from cardiac arrest, we found a report published in the International Journal of Cardiology. It was a cardiological study conducted in humans and animals, which notes the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-platelet, hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects of ginger. However, no studies were found that said chewing ginger could save a person from cardiac arrest. A few other studies too say that ginger helps the body to fight the risk of high blood pressure, heart diseases and cholesterol. 

We also spoke to noted cardiologists at various hospitals to confirm our findings. The doctors brushed off claims that chewing ginger could save you from cardiac arrests. Primary treatment including CPR should be administered if a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest. Besides, the person should be rushed to hospital as soon as possible. The doctors warned that patients could lose their lives if they doesn’t receive critical care at the hospital. From the available information, it is clear that the claim made in such viral videos are false and misleading.