Gan Jiang (Zingiber officinale, dried)

Gan Jiang (dried ginger, Zingiber officinale) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb valued primarily for its bioactive compounds rather than macronutrient content. Per 100g of dried ginger: Calories ~335 kcal; Carbohydrates ~70-72g (including ~14g dietary fiber); Protein ~8-9g; Fat ~4-6g. Key bioactive compounds: Gingerols (particularly 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol) at approximately 1.5-3.0% w/w in dried form, though drying converts a significant portion to shogaols (especially 6-shogaol at ~1.0-2.5% w/w), which are considered more pharmacologically potent and thermally stable; Zingerone (~0.2-0.5% w/w), formed via degradation of gingerols during drying; Zingiberene and bisabolene (sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, comprising ~30-35% of the volatile oil fraction); Essential/volatile oils ~1-4% total (including β-sesquiphellandrene, ar-curcumene, α-zingiberene, β-bisabolene, geranial, neral). Minerals: Potassium ~1320mg, Magnesium ~214mg, Phosphorus ~168mg, Calcium ~114mg, Iron ~19.8mg, Zinc ~3.6mg, Manganese ~33mg per 100g. Vitamins: Vitamin B6 ~0.6mg, Niacin (B3) ~5.2mg, Riboflavin (B2) ~0.17mg, Vitamin C ~0.7mg (substantially reduced from fresh ginger due to drying), Vitamin E ~0.3mg. Polyphenolic content: total phenolics approximately 4.0-7.5 mg GAE/g (gallic acid equivalents), contributing significant antioxidant capacity (ORAC value ~39,041 µmol TE/100g). Bioavailability notes: 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol demonstrate moderate oral bioavailability (~30-40% absorption in the GI tract) with rapid Phase I and Phase II hepatic metabolism; glucuronide and sulfate conjugates are the primary circulating metabolites. Piperine or lipid-based delivery can enhance bioavailability. Fat-soluble terpenic compounds benefit from co-administration with dietary fats. Mineral bioavailability may be modestly reduced by dietary fiber content. Typical TCM dosage is 3-10g/day, so actual consumed quantities of nutrients are proportionally much lower than per-100g values.